Likud officials pressure Netanyahu to reposition Avi Dichter on party slate

Senior officials within Israel's Likud party are intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to utilize a "swap" provision within the party's rules. This mechanism, approved before the primaries, could allow Dichter, the former Shin Bet chief, to be moved into a more realistic position on the party's election slate.

The push stems from concerns that Likud might enter the upcoming election without a prominent security figure in a strong electoral position. Following the retirement of Yoav Gallant, Dichter is seen as the most significant security voice among Likud's senior members. Officials believe his presence on the slate is crucial for electoral success, particularly in an election campaign expected to heavily feature security issues.

The "swap" provision allows the party chairman, Netanyahu, to reposition a candidate who participated in the primaries into one of the chairman's reserved slots. The candidate originally designated for that reserved slot would then be moved to a lower position on the slate. This mechanism was previously a subject of contention, with petitions filed against it, though the Likud court ultimately approved it.

The court's reasoning was that such a promotion would come at the expense of a reserved spot, not displacing a candidate elected by party members. Likud court president Michael Kleiner has publicly supported prioritizing primary candidates over those placed in reserved spots. While pressure is currently focused on Dichter, other candidates could potentially be considered for similar repositioning later, but no similar consensus exists for them.

“

any step that advances a person who competed and was elected over a person who was given a reserved spot.