Final: There will be no primaries for the Likud list
The party's court reversed its previous decision, requiring the party to make a preliminary election to the list. This, after the Likud Center chairman demanded an expanded composition discussion, during which he presented the logistical difficulties and economic costs involved in the process. Sa'ar: "If I choose - I will act for Netanyahu's appointment as president of the state"
Final: There will be no primaries for the Likud list
Editing: Tal ResnickLikud Internal Elections - Recent Updates:
- Likud Tribunal Unanimously Ruled: No Primaries for Knesset Party List
- Likud Center Chairman presented difficulties in preparing for primaries, Netanyahu joins his position
- In another decision, Saar's petition against ballot deployment and voting sites was rejected
- Saar in support conference: "If I choose - I will work for Netanyahu to be elected president of the state"
The Likud court ruled Monday that primaries will not be held on the Likud list for the next Knesset, thus making its previous decision requiring the party to run a preliminary election. Last week, the tribunal ruled that the Likud Center's decision to freeze the list from the beginning of the month contravened the Likud's constitution and ordered primaries to be held, but Likud center chairman Haim Katz demanded an expanded composition hearing to overturn the decision, and the tribunal overturned the petition and reversed the decision.
During the discussion, Katz presented the logistical difficulties in preparing the primaries for the list by the time the lists were closed in mid-January, as well as the heavy economic costs estimated at NIS 20,000 from the state and party funds. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also joined the Katz position, which will be presented by Likud Attorney General Avi Halevi, as well as four Likud MKs - Keren Barak, Ophir Katz, Shlomo Kari and Katy Shitrit, who will be represented by Attorney Guy Bossi. The decision was unanimously adopted by nine litigants in the lineup led by Attorney Michael Kleiner.
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PM, Benjamin Netanyahu and Mickey Zohar during the Likud's Emergency Conference against Minority Government Supported by Arab Parties, Exhibition Gardens, Tel Aviv, November 17, 2019 (Photo: Reuben Castro)
At the beginning of the month, the Likud Center's decision to revoke the primaries for the list was made four days before the 22nd Knesset dissipation. It was the prime minister who led the move, aimed at securing the loyalty of Knesset members in the back row who feared losing their place on the list in another election and thwarting the possibility of internal rebellion.
However, the abolition of the primaries provoked unrest among candidates and activists who demanded the opportunity to get elected to the Knesset and contest for a place on the list as required by the party's constitution and appealed against the center's decision. Last week the tribunal accepted the petition and ordered to hold primaries, but Haim Katz and other MKs demanded an expanded composition hearing that ultimately made the decision.
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To the full article"If I choose, I will act for Netanyahu's election as president of the state." Saar (Photo: Shlomi Gabay)
MK Gideon Sa'ar at the primaries conference in Hadera on December 23, 2019 (Photo: Shlomi Gabay)
In another decision regarding the party's primaries to be held on Thursday, the Likud tribunal decided to reject petition by MK Gideon Sa'ar against the ballot and voting sites. Sa'ar petitioned against the Likud Central Election Commission's decision that voters can vote only at affiliates And not in every country as it used to. However, the tribunal rejected the petition and ruled that the functionaries could vote only at their branches. The decision is expected to hurt mainly the organized commanders, who used to vote at one polling place near their workplaces, like the airline industry functioners led by MK Haim Katz.
At the same time, the Election Commission announced today that it will extend voting hours on Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Netanyahu is worried that the inclement weather expected on Thursday will lower voter turnout, so they worked to extend the opening hours of the polls.
Speaking at a conference in support of Netanya:
Final: There will be no primaries for the Likud list
Today, Sa'ar said that if elected as party leader, he would run for Netanyahu's election as state president. At a conference in Netanya, attended by 150 people, including Knesset members Yoav Kish and Sharan Hachel, Sa'ar said: "If no change is made on Thursday, the people will change elections. If I choose, I will act for Netanyahu's election as president of the state to continue contributing to the state."
Sa'ar added that "there are different types of pressure. The members know that I have to vote, but there is someone who presses them." MK Kish, who also spoke at the conference, said: "Do not be afraid of the pressures exerted on you, primaries day will be turbulent."
Later, Saar arrived at an event at his headquarters in Hadera, attended by a hundred activists. In addition, Hadera Mayor Zvi Gendelman, several members of the council, and Mayor Elyakin Azouri Sharoni, arrived. In his remarks, he reiterated his proposal, saying that "Netanyahu has international skills he can certainly contribute as president of the country. I definitely believe that." Sa'ar also said that as prime minister, he intends to hold the education portfolio. He said, "This is our national strength."
Rabbi Mazuz supports Netanyahu
Meanwhile, Rabbi Meir Mazuz, one of the senior leaders of the Spanish stream in the ultra-Orthodox sector, announced tonight's support for Netanyahu in the primaries to be held in the Likud. The rabbi's support is considered significant, as more than 2,000 students and alumni have the right to vote in the upcoming elections.
On Saturday night, Netanyahu came to visit Rabbi Mazuz's residence in Bnei Brak, spoke to him at length and asked him for his support. A day later, MK Sa'ar visited the rabbi's house and also asked for his support. The rabbi announced to his people tonight that he will support Netanyahu, and a letter on his behalf is expected to be published in the next day. A close associate said that "the letter will also praise the storm but the rabbi vote will declare that support Former Minister Eli Yishai sent the statement to Rabbi Netanyahu, and this is also an achievement for MK Shlomo Kari from the Likud, as a large number of voters affiliated with Rabbi Mazuz are a group that convened under him.
(First Update: 21:25)
Netanyahu and MK tear down Rabbi Mazuz, Saturday night
Benjamin Netanyahu with Rabbi Meir Mazuz with MK Shlomo Qari on December 21, 2019 (Photo: official website)
Netanyahu Support Conference in Herzliya, today
PM Netanyahu at Herzliya Support Conference on December 23, 2019 (Photo: official website)
