Likud panel votes to expand Netanyahu’s control over party list, wartime primary alternative

The Likud Constitution Committee voted on Sunday to expand Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's control over the party list. The new proposal grants Netanyahu authority to determine eight slots within the first 30 positions on the party list. Additionally, in the event of wartime, defined as an escalation on the home front, Netanyahu could appoint a selection committee to determine the candidate list, bypassing primaries. Netanyahu stated, "I support holding the primaries, but there is a possibility that we could face an exceptional security situation that would make it difficult to hold campaign events." This move, which faces internal opposition from senior Likud figures, marks a significant shift from the party's long-standing tradition of member-voted primaries. The Likud Central Committee is expected to vote on the proposal on Tuesday, following a previous injunction against similar changes by the Lod District Court.