Lead

The Likud party has delayed its primary elections to August 4, a decision made unanimously by the party’s Constitution Committee on Sunday. The move comes amid ongoing discussions about potential changes to the primary system that could grant Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more influence over the party’s Knesset list.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from the Jerusalem Post indicate that the postponement was announced by the Likud Constitution Committee, headed by Housing and Construction Minister Haim Katz, who also chairs the Likud Central Committee. The committee’s decision was made ahead of the upcoming elections, with updated rules and procedures for the primaries expected to be released on Thursday. The original primary date had been set for July 28.

Netanyahu has reportedly been seeking to alter the method of conducting the primaries this year to give him more control over the highest slots on the party list. According to Likud MK Amit Halevi, who is a member of the Constitution Committee, Netanyahu may have been working over the weekend to persuade lawmakers ahead of a Sunday vote on the proposed changes. Halevi said he believed the prime minister would attempt to speak with Likud MKs “in closed rooms” to build a formula with less resistance.

Key Claims

  • The Likud Constitution Committee voted unanimously on Sunday to postpone the primaries to August 4.
  • Updated rules and procedures for the primaries are expected to be released on Thursday.
  • Netanyahu has reportedly been seeking to change the primary system to grant himself more control over the highest slots on the party list.
  • Netanyahu is considering reserving spots on the list for Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and former Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon in the top ten, as well as a seat for Haim Bibas, chairman of the Center for Local Government and mayor of Modi’in-Maccabim-Re’ut, lower on the list.
  • Likud sources told Kan News that Netanyahu is pushing to reserve eight or nine candidates on the party’s Knesset list, with three in the top ten.
  • Netanyahu warned Likud’s Central Committee Chairman Haim Katz that he would leave the party if his demand for 10 reserved seats is not accepted, according to Likud sources cited by Maariv.
  • Katz believes Netanyahu’s demand could “crush the Likud,” while Netanyahu argues the current crisis could cause serious damage to the party.
  • The deadline for closing the voter registry for the primaries had been set for July 7, with a request expected to postpone it to July 10.
  • The option of canceling the primaries is increasingly seen as less likely due to legal and internal party obstacles.
The Likud is set to meet on Wednesday to discuss the party’s future and debate replacing the primaries with a “selection committee” system. Party officials have expressed growing anger over the delay in determining their political future, according to reports.

Netanyahu had also reportedly approached IDF soldier Ari Spitz, who was severely wounded in Gaza and lost both legs and an arm, with an offer to join the list.