Against the backdrop of a looming deadline imposed by the Likud Party’s High Court over reserved slate positions, Prime Minister and Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu clarified Monday evening that he has no intention of releasing the list of names according to the court’s timetable.
Netanyahu emphasized that he does not bow to ultimatums of any kind, saying his sole priority is the party’s best interests and ensuring the highest-caliber appointments for Likud’s electoral ticket. Sources close to the prime minister said that since he has already been granted the official authority to select the reserved spots, the exact timing of the announcement is secondary, and decisions will be made with measured, professional discretion.
The statement follows a directive issued earlier Monday by Likud’s internal high court, which set a firm 9:00 PM deadline for Netanyahu to deliver a formal proposal to the Likud Secretariat. Under the ruling, if the cutoff is not met, the party’s legal counsel would have to justify why the delay should not be interpreted as implied consent to hold a secret ballot among secretariat members.