Drama in Likud: Court Overturns Convention Decision on Disputed Clause

The Likud Supreme Court last night overturned the convention's decision that allowed Knesset members, ministers, and deputy ministers to run in districts, due to procedural flaws and a constitutional change. Netanyahu's eight reserved slots remain in effect. The court rejected the claim that Netanyahu voted improperly and criticized leaks to the media.

The Likud Supreme Court last night overturned a key decision of the Likud convention that allowed current and former Knesset members, ministers, and deputy ministers to run in district primaries. The decision was passed by a razor-thin margin of only five votes and was annulled due to procedural flaws and a constitutional change. The court ruled that opening the districts fundamentally changes the rules of the game set in the Likud constitution, and therefore could not be done through a temporary order. Additionally, it was determined that the 35th place on the list will revert to a general national slot, the deadline for submitting candidacies will be extended by 48 hours, and Netanyahu's eight reserved slots remain in effect. The court rejected the claim that Netanyahu was registered as having voted even though he did not vote properly, stating that no supporting evidence was presented. Discrepancies were also found between the number of voters, envelopes, and votes in several polling stations, but the court did not determine that the count was falsified. The political implication: Knesset members lost an alternative path to the national list, while Netanyahu continues to shape the list.