Likud MKs remain barred from district primary slots after Supreme Court appeal is withdrawn

Current and former Likud lawmakers remain barred from competing for district slots in the party's primary after MK Afif Abed withdrew his Supreme Court appeal. The court dismissed the appeal, upholding the party tribunal's ruling. The decision does not affect the eight positions Netanyahu is authorized to fill. The primary is scheduled for Monday.

Current and former Likud lawmakers, ministers, and deputy ministers will remain barred from competing for district positions in the party's upcoming primary, after MK Afif Abed withdrew his Supreme Court appeal late Wednesday night. The Supreme Court formally dismissed the appeal, leaving the party tribunal's ruling in force. The decision does not affect the eight positions that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been authorized to fill with candidates of his choosing. The primary vote is currently scheduled for Monday. The case concerned whether current and former MKs could compete for places on the list reserved for candidates from geographic districts. Abed's attorney informed the court he would no longer pursue the appeal after the justices heard arguments. The panel comprised justices Daphne Barak-Erez, Ofer Grosskopf, and Alex Stein. The appeal was the latest in a broader struggle over the balance of power between Netanyahu, Likud members, and the party's internal institutions. Three questions have dominated: whether the primary would take place, how much of the list Netanyahu could determine, and who could compete for district positions. In June, the Likud Constitution Committee set the primary for August 4. By mid-July, it was moved to August 17. A vote on proposed rules was halted on July 16 after a court injunction. The Constitution Committee approved a framework giving Netanyahu eight reserved positions and allowing a selection committee in a security emergency. The party's top internal court struck down the latter provision. On July 27, the convention approved the eight positions and narrowly approved opening districts to officeholders. The tribunal invalidated the district change on August 3 due to voting irregularities. Abed challenged this in the Tel Aviv District Court, which partially accepted his argument but upheld the restriction.