Bitan tells Likud members: Thursday's proposal is Katz's, not Netanyahu's

MK David Bitan told Likud members that the proposal to be presented at the party convention on Thursday comes from Constitution Committee chairman Haim Katz, not Prime Minister Netanyahu. Bitan argued that the committee elected 15 years ago does not represent current members and that the requested reserved slots are also intended for other parties, warning the move would harm Likud.

MK David Bitan (Likud) issued a direct appeal to party members on Wednesday, stating that the proposal scheduled for the party convention on Thursday originates from Constitution Committee chairman Haim Katz, not from Prime Minister Netanyahu. Bitan's remarks were reported by journalist Dafna Liel.

Bitan argued that the Constitution Committee, elected 15 years ago, does not reflect the current membership. He also claimed that the reserved slots being sought are not only for Likud but for other parties, and warned that the move would drag the party downward rather than lift it.

The statement comes amid a protracted internal Likud battle over the method for selecting the party's Knesset list. As The Zioneer has reported, Bitan filed an urgent petition to the Likud party court on June 21 against the 'arranging committee' proposal, which would bypass primaries. The Constitution Committee, chaired by Katz, had been summoned for multiple meetings, and a vote on two competing proposals was scheduled for July 11. The current proposal, according to Bitan, is Katz's framework, which includes reserved slots for the prime minister and other figures.

The convention on Thursday is expected to be a decisive moment in the internal power struggle. It remains unclear whether Netanyahu will support the Katz proposal or push for an alternative.

3 developments

1. 2 hours ago · 12:59 · 15 JulLatest

   Bitan accuses Netanyahu of capitulating to Haim Katz over party list.

2. 12:34 · 15 Jul

   Bitan claims the committee is unrepresentative and the proposal aids other parties.

3. 12:33 · 15 Jul

   Bitan tells Likud members: Thursday's proposal is Katz's, not Netanyahu's

• Strong2 days ago · 18:11 · 13 JulNetanyahu and Likud MK Bitan clash in Constitution Committee, Bitan storms out
• Developing2 days ago · 17:49 · 13 JulLikud MK Bitan accuses Netanyahu of leaking during internal meeting, warns against 'political elimination' of MKs
• Developing15:23 · 23 JunNetanyahu threatens to quit Likud unless granted 10 reserved Knesset slots
• Strong11:57 · 10 JunLikud confirms Netanyahu will run in next election, pushing back against Trump's doubts

Source and signal

A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.

• Internal intake