Likud meeting: Katz insists only female MKs for districts, Netanyahu considers male MKs

According to journalist Dafna Liel (N12), the Likud Constitution Committee's preliminary meeting on Thursday night featured a sharp dispute over reserved slots and district allocation. Minister Haim Katz insisted only female MKs compete for the districts, while Prime Minister Netanyahu considers allowing male MKs as well. The discussion reached high tones.

The Likud Constitution Committee's preliminary meeting on Thursday night, which was first reported at 23:02, has generated further details revealing a sharp internal dispute. According to Dafna Liel (N12), the meeting reached 'high tones' as participants clashed over the number of reserved slots (shiryonim) and the allocation of electoral districts.

The core disagreement centered on who can run for the districts. Minister Haim Katz, who chairs the committee, insisted that only female MKs be allowed to compete for the districts — a position that would effectively reserve those slots for women. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, is considering allowing male MKs to run as well, according to the report.

The meeting is the latest in a series of contentious sessions of the Likud Constitution Committee, which has been grappling with the party's candidate selection process for weeks. The broader context includes Netanyahu's demand for 10 reserved slots on the party list, which has faced fierce resistance from senior party figures. Katz has previously moved to force primaries, sparking internal tensions and fears of a leadership coup.

The outcome of Thursday's meeting remains unclear. The committee is expected to continue deliberations ahead of the party's primaries, which have been repeatedly postponed.

3 developments

1. 1 hour ago · 23:37 · 9 JulLatest

   Katz insists on female-only district candidates; Netanyahu considers allowing males.

2. 23:02 · 9 Jul

   Sharp dispute over reserved slots and district allocation between Katz and Netanyahu.

3. 13:12 · 9 Jul

   Likud Constitution Committee to convene Sunday to discuss primaries and reserved slots

• Strong21:03 · 28 JunNetanyahu, Katz nearing agreement on Likud reserved slots ahead of primaries
• Developing21:36 · 24 JunNetanyahu offers Likud MKs specific reserved list slots amid infighting
• Strong18:58 · 22 JunLikud infighting intensifies over Netanyahu's demand for 10 reserved slots
• Strong17:17 · 17 JunLikud Constitution Committee summoned for Tuesday; chairman Haim Katz moves to force primaries

Source and signal

• Internal intake