Israel's Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered all parties to urgently respond to Likud's request for an immediate ruling in an internal party dispute that threatens to delay its primary elections. Justice Daphna Barak-Erez instructed the parties involved, particularly Knesset Member Afif Abed, to submit their responses by 4:30 p.m.
Earlier in the day, Likud filed an urgent petition with the Supreme Court requesting that if the hearing on Abed's appeal cannot be moved up from its scheduled Thursday morning slot, the court should issue a ruling immediately based on written arguments already submitted. The appeal concerns a dispute over how candidates may compete in the party's regional primaries.
In its filing, the party warned that without an immediate decision, it cannot begin printing voting materials for the primaries scheduled for August 17. A delay like that would push back the primaries by at least two weeks, Likud argued, potentially jeopardizing the party's ability to submit its candidate list on time for the 26th Knesset elections.
