Internal Turmoil in Likud as Minister Gilah Gamliel Demoted Amid Vote Recount Dispute

The Likud party is facing internal conflict following the demotion of Minister Gilah Gamliel from the 25th to the 35th spot on the party list, replaced by Eti Atiya, an ally of Minister Haim Katz. This change came after a vote recount in the Bnei Brak polling station, which took place a week after the final results were initially published. Party branch leaders expressed outrage to Netanyahu's chief of staff, Ido Norden, condemning the recount and the resulting shift.

Haim Katz responded to the accusations by directing critics to file complaints at the Lahav 433 police unit in Lod. Meanwhile, Gamliel's husband, Hovav Damari, filed a police complaint alleging fraud and forgery against Likud CEO David Sharan, Katz, and a security chief. Several Likud members, including Gal Yosef from the Ra'anana branch and Tzafrir Padlon from Kadima-Tzoran, called for Katz to be held accountable and threatened to consider leaving the party if the decision was not reversed.

The recount, which has been conducted three times, showed Atiya surpassing Gamliel, but the official announcement is expected on Thursday after appeals. Gamliel's supporters claim the recount was manipulated and have sought an injunction. The controversy began after allegations of irregularities in the Likud primaries, prompting the party's election committee to investigate, focusing on possible clerical errors in Bnei Brak.

Official data from Bnei Brak showed MK Shason Guetta receiving 487 votes, the highest among MKs there, followed by Mai Golan with 450 votes and Gamliel with 433 votes. Notably, popular figures like Minister Dudi Amsalem and Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz received very few votes in that polling station. The dispute highlights tensions within Likud ahead of the upcoming elections and raises questions about internal party democracy and vote integrity.