Likud Court Approves Reserved Spot for Chairman Haim Katz Amid Political Controversy

The Likud party's internal court approved a reserved spot for Haim Katz, chairman of the Likud Center, among the eight guaranteed slots on the party list ahead of the primaries. This decision came after the party's court lifted a temporary injunction that had halted the vote on Katz's reservation, which was challenged due to alleged conflicts of interest and political bargaining. The Likud secretariat had earlier proposed reserving spots not only for Prime Minister Netanyahu but also for Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Haim Katz, citing their key roles and agreements within the party.

The announcement sparked significant backlash within the party, with many ministers and Knesset members criticizing the reserved spots for Israel Katz and Haim Katz. Critics accused them of leveraging their positions within the party to pressure Netanyahu into granting these reservations. One senior Likud official described the situation as a "scandal," alleging that Israel Katz demanded the reservation in exchange for approving Netanyahu's reserved spots. Other party members condemned the move as hostile takeover and corruption, calling it a disgrace and a political coup.

The controversy highlights internal tensions within Likud ahead of the upcoming elections, reflecting disputes over party list placements and influence. The reserved spots are intended to secure key figures' positions on the list, allowing them to focus on their governmental duties without engaging in internal party politics. The party now moves forward with the approved reserved slots as it prepares for the primaries and the general election campaign.