A heated confrontation erupted Monday between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Likud MK David Bitan during a Constitution Committee meeting on party list reservations. Netanyahu told Bitan to run for party leadership if he wants to propose changes, after which Bitan shouted that Netanyahu's allies are leaking against him and stormed out, according to N12.
Prime Minister Netanyahu and Likud MK David Bitan clashed during a Constitution Committee meeting on Monday evening, with Bitan storming out after Netanyahu challenged him to run for the party leadership. According to N12, Bitan shouted that Netanyahu's allies were leaking against him before leaving the meeting. The confrontation, which unfolded around 17:25 Jerusalem, is the latest escalation in internal Likud tensions over the allocation of reserved Knesset slots.
The Zioneer originally reported the exchange at 17:25 Jerusalem, where Netanyahu told Bitan, 'Go run and become prime minister, we'll see how many mandates you bring.' Shortly after, Bitan walked out. The clash occurred as the committee voted on a compromise proposal by Minister Haim Katz, which was approved, according to Israeli media. The current update adds Bitan's accusation of leaks against him from Netanyahu's camp.
The confrontation stems from deepening divisions within Likud over the party list. As The Zioneer reported on June 23, Netanyahu had threatened to quit the party unless he was granted 10 reserved slots. Earlier Monday, the Likud Constitution Committee approved Netanyahu's proposal for eight reserved slots and authority to change districts, as reported by Israel Hayom and The Zioneer. The dispute with Bitan, a senior MK, highlights the ongoing struggle over list composition.
It remains unclear whether the clash will affect the committee's decisions or the broader list negotiations. Bitan's specific objections to the reservation slots have not been detailed, and no further statements from either side have been reported since the meeting.
4 developments
- DevelopingLikud MK Bitan accuses Netanyahu of leaking during internal meeting, warns against 'political elimination' of MKs
- StrongLikud Constitution Committee to convene Thursday without Netanyahu, then with him, following Bitan petition
- DevelopingNetanyahu threatens to quit Likud unless granted 10 reserved Knesset slots
- DevelopingNetanyahu reportedly warns Likud list composition could cost election
Source and signal
- Internal intake