A senior Likud official under investigation is currently at the center of the party's internal conflict, according to a report. The dispute involves Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister Haim Katz on one side, and MK David Bitan on the other. The party court's decision on the slot reservation dispute has not yet been published.
The investigation into a senior Likud figure, first reported earlier today at 12:14 Jerusalem, has now been linked to the party's internal power struggle. According to a new report, the probe is connected to the conflict between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister Haim Katz on one side, and MK David Bitan on the other. Meanwhile, the party court's decision on the disputed slot reservations has yet to be published.
Earlier today at 12:14 Jerusalem, journalist Avishai Grinzeig reported that a central Likud figure was being questioned under caution in a new economic affair. Shortly after, N12 reported that the senior figure and several businessmen were detained for questioning on suspicion of concealing rights to real estate assets worth tens of millions of shekels and smuggling assets. Yediot Aharonot subsequently confirmed the probe and the detention. The investigation has thus evolved from an initial unconfirmed report to corroboration by multiple newsrooms.
This development comes against the backdrop of weeks of internal Likud friction over the allocation of reserved Knesset slots. As The Zioneer has reported, Netanyahu has pushed for ten reserved slots, drawing resistance from senior figures including MK Bitan. On July 13, a heated confrontation erupted between Netanyahu and Bitan in the Constitution Committee, with Bitan storming out. On July 27, a video reportedly showed Haim Katz leading internal voting against Bitan. On August 2, the Likud internal court opened hearings on petitions challenging district voting results, with the gap narrowed to two votes in favor of Katz. The ongoing court deliberations on the slot reservations now add a legal dimension to the party's internal strife.
The identity of the senior Likud figure under investigation has not been officially disclosed, and the specific allegations remain under investigation. The party court's decision on the slot reservation dispute is still pending, and its outcome could further shape the internal dynamics.
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