Benny Bitton, the mayor of Dimona and a member of the Likud arranging committee, told Channel 12 on Sunday morning that there will be no party primaries, according to the network.
Bitton's statement comes amid an internal Likud dispute over whether to hold primaries or allow an arranging committee to select the Knesset slate. He previously argued that the wartime situation warranted letting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assemble the coalition's list, and downplayed the importance of placement in primaries. Now he explicitly rules out primaries, aligning with those who favor an arranged slate. The arranging committee, of which Bitton is a member, would be responsible for drafting the list if primaries are not held.
- DevelopingDimona Mayor: 'If there are primaries, order doesn't matter'
- DevelopingDimona Mayor Benny Bitton: Let Netanyahu form coalition list during war
- DevelopingLikud MK Avichay Buaron calls for party primaries, says Netanyahu opposes arranging committee
- DevelopingDimona mayor: Lieberman, Bennett deciding coalition list, not Netanyahu
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