Likud Orders Recount of Ballots in Be'er Ya'akov Amid Election Dispute

The Likud party announced on Tuesday night that a recount of ballots will be conducted in Be'er Ya'akov following a decision by the party's election committee, led by retired judge Menachem Naaman. The recount results will be incorporated into the final tally after appeals are reviewed on Thursday. The party emphasized its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the election process and adhering to the directives of the Likud court and election committee.

Preliminary results from Be'er Ya'akov, shared with several Likud members, showed MK Sasson Guetta leading with 487 votes, followed by May Golan with 433 votes, David Bitan with 370 votes, and Zeev Elkin with 334 votes. Other candidates included Dudi Amsalem with 21 votes, Moshe Saada with 36 votes, Ofir Katz with 17 votes, and Yoav Kisch with 81 votes. A senior Likud official expressed concern over the results, stating that the circumstances appeared "borderline criminal," though it was unclear who was responsible.

The recount and subsequent appeals highlight internal tensions within Likud as the party seeks to ensure a transparent and fair election process ahead of upcoming leadership decisions.