BICOM

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday won the backing of the Likud Central Committee over the party’s selection process of Knesset candidates, in what was considered a test of his authority.

New Likud MK David Amsalem proposed that Knesset candidates be selected solely by the 3,700-member Central Committee, considered an influential body in which Netanyahu has seen his influence decline in recent years. Netanyahu backed a compromise initiated by new Likud MK David Bitan under which the prominent positions on the Knesset candidates’ list would still be selected by a national vote of the Likud Party’s 100,000 members, while regional representatives, who appear lower down on the list will be chosen by the Central Committee.

A relatively high turnout of 2,689 Central Committee members approved Netanyahu’s compromise by 58 per cent, effectively voting to limit its own power, with just 38 per cent backing Amsalem’s proposal. Netanyahu had reportedly made significant efforts to persuade Central Committee members over the vote in recent days, with the ballot viewed as an early internal challenge following Netanyahu’s establishment of a new government.

After the results had been announced, Netanyahu thanked the Central Committee members for “showing responsibility, standing behind my proposal and voting in favour of the Likud and the unity of the party,” which he predicted will help Likud remain in power “for many years to come.” He praised the “impressive, democratic process” which saw members “decide how Likud representatives will be nominated in the next Knesset.”

Meanwhile, Amsalem, who saw his proposal defeated also lauded the vote as evidence of Likud’s healthy democratic institutions. He said, “The main winner tonight was the democratic process in which we all participated.” Praising Netanyahu for the manner in which he fought the vote, Amsalem added “I have no doubt that these internal elections strengthened the party and I am glad to have been a part of this.”