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Saar challenges Netanyahu as Likud plan primary

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What happened: Senior Likud MK Gidon Saar openly challenged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership in an interview on Israel’s Channel 12 News on Saturday, saying the Prime Minister (and Likud leader) had no chance of forming a government even “after a third, fourth, fifth or sixth” election and called for snap primaries to be held in order to “avoid a third election” and save the Likud. Yet Saar stopped short of calling for Netanyahu to step down after his indictment for bribery, fraud and breach of trust last week.

  • Saar’s challenge and snap primary demand were met largely with silence from other Likud figures. Only one other Likud Knesset member spoke out – former Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat floated his own proposal for the election of a Likud deputy leader – without demanding Netanyahu resign.
  • Most senior Likud officials have come out in support of Netanyahu, stating that legally he does not have to resign and can continue serving as Prime Minister. Conspicuously silent are Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, Interior Security Minister Gilad Erdan, and Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein who haven’t commented on Netanyahu’s indictment or Saar’s challenge.
  • Israeli media reported yesterday that Netanyahu had agreed to hold Likud leadership primaries “within six weeks.”

Context: Despite his unprecedented legal troubles, Netanyahu seems to have stopped a full Likud rebellion. The Israeli Parliament has 16 days left to form a government before third elections are automatically triggered. The Likud primaries will likely be held after this period ends, thus making a fracturing of the party – led by Saar – extremely unlikely.

  • The Israeli media have reported that the Attorney General and Supreme Court are not likely to issue a ruling soon on Netanyahu’s eligibility to run as a candidate in a future election. Several petitions to the Supreme Court have been filed demanding Netanyahu either step down immediately or be ruled ineligible in future (although according to the law he does not have to resign as prime minister).
  • The Supreme Court yesterday rejected one petition on the grounds that the proceedings had not yet been fully exhausted. The Attorney General, too, is believed to want a delay in deciding the matter. Only once the issue of a third election, Netanyahu’s candidacy, and a hypothetical Netanyahu victory become real will he issue an opinion on the matter.
  • Benny Gantz, leader of the opposition Blue and White party, reiterated his calls for Netanyahu to step down, and to allow Likud to join Blue and White in a unity government. “This is the only alternative to avoid unnecessary elections that only one person wants…Likud leadership – it is time to make your voices heard!”

Looking ahead: The legal challenge to Netanyahu’s continued rule will take time to play out. But with Likud colleagues mostly staying loyal for now, Netanyahu will shift his attention to the public arena. A major demonstration is planned for tomorrow night in central Tel Aviv under the banner: “Stop the Coup!” Several pro-settler and right-wing NGOs have signalled their intention to attend, although it is unclear whether senior Likud MKs will participate. The real test is how many people come out in support of Netanyahu – and whether the Prime Minister himself decides to attend.