Court blocks planned Likud vote over disputed primary rules

The Lod District Court issued an injunction on Thursday, blocking a planned Likud vote on new primary rules for the 26th Knesset candidate list. The decision followed a petition from the Social Forum, affiliated with the National Labor Federation, which argued that the Likud administration violated a party court ruling by not presenting the forum's proposed election rules to delegates. The Social Forum's proposal aimed to ensure all Likud members, including those with disabilities, could participate. The court mandated that the vote could not proceed unless the forum's proposal was also presented. The dispute centers on a proposal, supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Health Minister Haim Katz, that would grant the Likud chairman eight reserved positions on the party list, including six within the top 20, and allow incumbent MKs to compete in district races. Opponents, led by MK David Bitan, argue this would significantly limit members' influence and create an "appointments committee in practice." The Social Forum called the court's decision "a victory for common sense."