Netanyahu Conceals Letter on Israel Katz's Knesset List Protection Amid Likud Turmoil

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a letter about Israel Katz's protected spot on the Likud Knesset list about a week ago but kept it hidden from party members and the public. Netanyahu's close circle insisted on concealing the letter to announce the protected slots externally. The move has sparked internal conflict within Likud, with criticism from party members like Gutlieb and a temporary halt to the vote on Haim Katz's protected status. The party is frustrated as fewer realistic spots remain for incumbent MKs.

Earlier, Likud's legal advisor Ilan Bombach responded to a petition challenging Netanyahu's decision to grant protected slots to ministers Haim Katz, Israel Katz, and Gideon Sa'ar for the 26th Knesset elections. Bombach defended Netanyahu's choice as based on objective considerations regarding the ministers' public standing and contributions to the party and government. He emphasized that the use of protected slots complies with the party's approved quota and that the party leader has sole discretion over these decisions.

The response also rejected claims of conflicts of interest or improper benefits related to Haim Katz's role in the party's constitution committee, clarifying that the election regulations were established by the committee as a body, not by Katz personally. It was noted that the Likud secretariat votes independently and is not influenced by Katz. Regarding Israel Katz, the exemption from primaries was justified by the need for him to focus on his role as Defense Minister during a complex security period, with no factual basis for the petitioners' allegations.