Ruling Coalition Sanctions Rebel MK For Defying Order To Withdraw From JSC Nomination Race

Israel's ruling coalition whip Ofir Katz took action against Likud MK Tally Gotliv after she refused to follow a direct order from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and resign from contesting on of the two seats at the Judicial Selection Committee allocated for Knesset representatives. Her nomination was voted down by a large majority of MKs, but her decision to stay in the race meant that the Knesset could hold a vote on Wednesday, which allowed for the election of an opposition candidate to one of the vacant seats.

• Ofir Katz said that Gotliv will be deprived of all committee memberships and will not be allowed to introduce bills or speak in parliament on behalf of the Likud caucus. According to Gotliv, she learnt about the decision from the media and cited legal advice that her decision did not violate party discipline.
• Gotliv had earlier suggested that the coalition could not punish her for staying in the race as the election of Knesset representatives in the JSC was conducted by secret ballot. She had argued that the party cannot order its lawmakers to toe its line in such votes, but it appears that Likud top brass want to restore discipline among its MKs.
• Meanwhile, Kan reported that Justice Minister Yariv Levin is preparing an ultimatum for the opposition, which would involve very minimal concessions on the halted judicial overhaul. If the opposition rejects the proposal, Levin is reportedly ready to start enacting necessary legislation unilaterally.