Victory for Netanyahu and Katz: Likud Central Committee Approves All Proposals

Likud Central Committee members approved Monday evening the three main proposals advanced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud Central Committee Chairman Haim Katz, paving the way for primaries on August 17. The first proposal, granting Netanyahu eight reserved slots, passed with 1,692 in favor versus 925 against. The third proposal, the new primary regulations, passed with 1,677 in favor versus 936 against. The main battle was over the second proposal – the districts clause – which passed by a razor-thin margin of just five votes. Voter turnout stood at 72.82%. Likud officials expect petitions to be filed with the party's court.

Likud Central Committee members approved Monday evening the three main proposals advanced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud Central Committee Chairman Haim Katz, after months of confrontations, delays, and power struggles. The first proposal, granting Netanyahu eight reserved slots in the Likud list for the next Knesset, passed with a clear majority of 1,692 supporters versus 925 opponents. The third proposal, including the new primary regulations and changes to the district structure, passed with 1,677 in favor versus 936 against. The main battle was over the second proposal – the clause allowing Knesset members and ministers to also run in district slots – which passed by a razor-thin margin of just five votes, one of the closest decisions recorded in Likud institutions in recent years. The final voter turnout stood at 72.82% – a particularly high figure for a Likud Central Committee meeting. Prime Minister Netanyahu did not participate in the vote after departing for Washington. Likud officials expect that elements in the opposition camp, led by MK David Bitan, will file petitions with the Likud court demanding a review of the voting process and results.