Full recordings from the Likud Constitution Committee meeting, obtained by Channel 14, reveal anger among members over reserved slots allegedly engineered for associates of Haim Katz. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that only a security situation preventing physical voting on election day would justify moving to an organizing committee, rejecting the idea that a pre-election campaign period disruption alone would suffice.
Channel 14 obtained full audio recordings from the Likud Constitution Committee meeting held Sunday night, despite party officials collecting participants' phones to prevent leaks. The recordings, published Monday evening, capture internal party tensions over the allocation of reserved slots on the party's list for the next Knesset.
According to the recordings, several committee members expressed anger over six slots designated for female representation, which they allege were engineered to benefit Eti Atiya and Kati Shitrit, associates of committee chairman Haim Katz. Participants demanded an end to what they called 'manipulations.'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who attended the meeting, addressed concerns about the possibility of canceling primary elections due to a security crisis. He clarified that only a situation where physical voting on election day is impossible — such as a Home Front Command order prohibiting gatherings — would justify moving to an organizing committee. He explicitly rejected the notion that a pre-election campaign period disruption alone would be sufficient grounds.
Participants expressed concern that the opposition and media would take Netanyahu's remarks out of context and launch a campaign claiming he seeks to cancel elections. The development marks the latest chapter in the Likud's internal struggle over the primary process, which has seen multiple postponements and conflicting proposals.
5 developments
- StrongLikud primaries reportedly set to be canceled; Netanyahu to determine list
- StrongLikud confirms cancellation of today's vote, citing Netanyahu's order over legal delays
- DevelopingNetanyahu offers Likud MKs specific reserved list slots amid infighting
- DevelopingLikud sources: Netanyahu seeks to cancel primaries to prevent defections in a deadlock scenario
Source and signal
- Internal intake
