Likudniks: Katz convening Likud panel to avenge PM snub
Likud sources charged that Katz was advancing the proposals because he is angry that Netanyahu has not transferred to his ministry key departments and authorities.
By GIL HOFFMANHaim Katz(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
The head of the Likud’s constitution committee, Welfare and Social Services Minister Haim Katz, will convene the committee on Thursday to advance proposals that could limit the power of the party’s chairman, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Likud sources charged that Katz was advancing the proposals because he is angry that Netanyahu has not transferred to his ministry key departments and authorities within the Economy portfolio that is held by the prime minister. The sources said Katz was flexing his muscles to prove to Netanyahu the power he has over him.Proposals that could be raised on Thursday include removing the right of the party chairman to veto convening the Likud central committee, and requiring candidates running for at least a third term as Likud leader to win re-election by a special majority of 60 percent.Dozens of proposals have been raised by members of the committee since it last met several months ago, mostly on procedural matters like how the party’s election committee functions. It will be up to Katz to decide which are fast-tracked and which are ignored.Sources close to Katz denied that he has any vendetta against the prime minister.The source said it was still unclear whether Katz would advance the controversial proposals in the meeting.“Not everything is connected to Netanyahu, portfolios, and politics,” said a member of the law committee who is close to Katz. “He is advancing what matters to him.”A Likud source said late Tuesday that it was becoming increasingly likely that the meeting would be postponed.