Channel 14 commentator petitions Likud court: 'Inequality'

Channel 14 commentator Dr. Edy Cohen, a candidate in the Likud primaries, has filed an urgent petition with the party's court demanding the disqualification of MK Zaga Melaku's candidacy for the new immigrant slot, arguing she does not meet the eligibility criteria because she immigrated before 1993. The petition claims the slot allocation violates party rules and creates inequality in funding, as incumbent MKs receive about 380,000 shekels while non-MK candidates do not. The hearing is set for Sunday.

First publication: Channel 14 commentator on Arab affairs, Dr. Edy Cohen, a candidate in the Likud primaries for the immigrant slot, filed an urgent petition today (Thursday) with the party's court to prevent MK Zaga Melaku's candidacy for the immigrant slot on the Likud list. Cohen argues that according to the Likud constitution, a new immigrant is defined as someone who immigrated to Israel from 1993 onward, while Melaku immigrated about a decade earlier, in 1984 or 1983, and therefore cannot run for this slot. The petition claims the slot allocation harms his rights as a competing candidate for the same slot, and that there have been reports of attempts to bypass the regulations to help Melaku remain on the list. It also notes that incumbent MKs are entitled to funding of about 380,000 shekels, while non-MK candidates do not receive this, creating inequality. The hearing on the petition will take place on Sunday, alongside other petitions related to the primaries.

Channel 14 commentator petitions Likud court: 'Inequality'