Likud Appeal Looms Over Tribunal Ban on Incumbents’ District Runs

Likud legal adviser Ilan Bombach is expected to petition Tel Aviv District Court on Wednesday morning against the party tribunal's decision barring sitting lawmakers, ministers and deputy ministers from district slots in its Knesset primary. Ynet reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the appeal, while Channel 14 said party leaders were still considering the move. The challenge would seek to restore convention-approved rules allowing incumbents to compete in district and representation slots. The internal tribunal said incumbents could run only on the national list unless they resigned and accepted no state primary funding.