The Likud party issued a statement quoting Prime Minister Netanyahu as ordering the cancellation of today's vote, citing legal delays that prevented many members from voting. The party said Netanyahu instructed the Likud management to set a new date for a re-vote in the near future.
The Likud party confirmed Thursday afternoon that Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the cancellation of today's primary vote, citing legal delays that prevented many members from voting. The party's statement, which aligns with earlier reports of the order, quoted Netanyahu instructing the party management to set a new date for a re-vote in the near future.
The day's developments began at 11:34 Jerusalem, when The Zioneer reported a request for an interim injunction to halt the Likud primary vote (ynet). The Lod District Court then issued an interim order, followed by a court order blocking the vote minutes before the convention. The court later named the petitioners—the Social Forum and the National Histadrut—and issued a temporary injunction, indefinitely postponing the convention. Journalist Dafna Liel (N12) reported the court's halt, and the Likud Party Court was scheduled to hear the dispute. Shortly after, the Likud party cancelled the vote on reserved slots following the party court injunction. At 11:34, The Zioneer also reported that Netanyahu ordered the Likud management to cancel the vote and set a new date. The thread's source quality evolved from initial unconfirmed requests to official court orders and party statements.
As The Zioneer reported earlier, internal party tensions over the list composition have been escalating. On Wed Jul 8, 12:39 Jerusalem, Netanyahu again requested to postpone a meeting on primaries. On Wed Jul 15, 18:38 Jerusalem, he summoned ministers and MKs ahead of the primaries and convention vote. On Tue Jun 23, 15:24 Jerusalem, Netanyahu threatened to quit Likud unless granted 10 reserved Knesset slots.
The new date for the re-vote has not yet been announced. The legal status of the party court's injunction and the reserved slots issue remains unresolved pending the new vote.
8 developments
- StrongNetanyahu again asks to postpone meeting on Likud primaries
- StrongLikud primaries reportedly set to be canceled; Netanyahu to determine list
- StrongLikud convention reportedly postponed to Thursday, primaries to mid-August
- DevelopingLikud sources: Netanyahu seeks to cancel primaries to prevent defections in a deadlock scenario
Source and signal
- Internal intake