Likud Court Rules: Primaries Will Not Be Canceled Even Under Security Escalation

The Likud Supreme Court rejected petitions to cancel the primaries amid a tense security situation, ruling that preparations for electronic voting must be made. Meanwhile, Netanyahu was approved an additional slot on the list, likely intended for MK Michal Buskila from New Hope.

The Likud Supreme Court published its decisions last night regarding petitions concerning the primary election regulations, ahead of the party convention to be held tomorrow. The court flatly rejected any possibility of canceling the primaries due to a tense security situation, ruling that "there is no room to open even a small crack for canceling the primaries." The decision emphasizes that the party constitution is a contract between the movement and its members, and that canceling the vote would constitute a blatant violation. In an emergency, the preferred option is postponing the vote, and the CEO must prepare for this in advance. Additionally, it was ruled that the party must advance preparations for electronic voting as a preferable alternative to canceling the vote. Alongside this, the court approved an additional slot for Netanyahu on the list and authorized powers to promote a candidate elected to a reserved slot and to place a candidate from "the State Right" (New Hope). The decisions come against the backdrop of tensions surrounding the merger agreement between the parties, with Sa'ar demanding to also reserve MK Michal Buskila in the 30th spot, amid a dispute over the allocation of party funding.