Likud party

The interim order was issued during Tuesday’s Likud Secretariat vote because Haim Katz had already registered for the August 17 primaries and begun campaigning.

Posting on social media, the Likud lawmaker said the defense minister was "terribly afraid of the primaries' results," slamming what she called a "despicable step that mocks Likud voters."

Erdan said in May that he was working toward establishing a new right-wing party said and that he sees himself as a candidate for premier in a post-Netanyahu era.

The ruling blocked a move promoted by Netanyahu and the chairman of the party’s Constitution Committee, Minister Haim Katz, which had been approved by just a five votes majority.

Benny Gantz should heed his favorite slogan that saving the country is the most important thing of all, abandoning the naive notion of unity that will saddle the state with more Likud years

"We regret that instead of focusing on securing important diplomatic achievements, you chose, once again, to exploit the occasion to spread poison and venom," the letter from Eisenkot's team said.

In a letter from Likud legal adviser attorney Ilan Bombach to the Election Committee, Bombach states that the goal of the prohibition would be to prevent bribery and other forms of undue influence.

The tribunal ruled that postponing the primaries should be the preferred option during an emergency and that the party should also prepare for electronic voting.

Likud’s Constitution Committee backed sweeping changes granting Netanyahu eight reserved list slots and authority to replace primaries with a wartime selection committee.

Netanyahu reportedly has held several meetings with Katz ahead of the vote, seeking to bridge disagreements over the primary system.