{
  "id": 752047,
  "title": "Likud MKs remain barred from district primary slots after Supreme Court appeal is withdrawn",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/likud-mks-remain-barred-from-district-primary-slots-after-supreme",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-13T09:44:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-election-2026/article-905409"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Likud lawmakers, ministers, and deputy ministers will continue to be prohibited from participating in district positions during the party's upcoming primary, following the withdrawal of MK Afif Abed's Supreme Court appeal on Wednesday night. This decision marks the end of a week-long dispute concerning the selection process for the Likud's next Knesset list. The ruling does not impact the eight positions that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been granted to fill with his preferred candidates. The primary election is set for Monday.\n\nThe legal dispute centered on whether current and former officeholders could compete for places on the district list. The Supreme Court ultimately dismissed Abed's appeal after hearing both sides' arguments, as reported in a two-page judgment on the same night. The panel consisted of justices Dafna Barak-Erez, Ofer Grosskopf, and Alex Stein, and their decision solidified the existing ruling, preventing current and former officeholders from participating in the district route during the primary. Instead, they will have to compete on the nationwide slate.\n\nDuring the hearing, justices repeatedly questioned the court's intervention in a decision made by Likud's own judicial body. Justice Ofer Grosskopf emphasized that the Likud tribunal is responsible for resolving internal disputes, and its decisions should generally be respected. This case is part of a larger struggle over the balance of power between Netanyahu, Likud members, and the party's internal institutions.\n\nThe Likud's Knesset list is composed of various contests and guarantees, with Netanyahu heading the slate and eligible Likud members voting for candidates in a nationwide race. Specific places are allocated for representatives of geographic districts, groups guaranteed representation under party rules, and selections made by the party chairman. Traditionally, the district route offered a pathway onto the list for local activists and first-time candidates who lack national recognition and political organization. Opening these contests to established politicians would have provided current and former officeholders with an alternative to the competitive nationwide race.\n\nInitially, there was uncertainty about whether the primary would be held at all. In June, the Likud Constitution Committee scheduled the primary for August 4, but there were reports that Netanyahu contemplated replacing it with a committee that would appoint the party list instead. In July, Likud institutions explored a broader overhaul, including eight reserved positions for Netanyahu, alternative arrangements for security emergencies, and a different proposal allowing district contests for current and former officeholders. The primary date was delayed from August 4 to August 17 due to ongoing deliberations. A temporary injunction from the Central District Court in Lod required the party to address a competing proposal before proceeding, leading to revisions in the proposed rules. The Likud's top internal court subsequently struck down the latter provision, ruling that the party must exhaust all available means of holding a primary rather than cancel it in advance.",
  "summary": "It does not affect the eight positions that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been authorized to fill with candidates of his choosing. The primary vote is currently scheduled for Monday.",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Likud lawmakers barred from district primary slots",
    "Supreme Court withdraws MK Afif Abed's appeal",
    "Likud primary set for Monday with Netanyahu's guaranteed positions"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Supreme Court's dismissal of Afif Abed's appeal solidifies the Likud party's internal ruling, limiting influence for current and former officeholders by forcing them to compete on the nationwide slate.",
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/752047.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Seven-judge Supreme Court Bench to hear if legislative privilege overrides free speech",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/seven-judge-supreme-court-bench-to-hear-if-legislative-privilege",
        "published": "2026-08-13T10:59:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}