Danon takes Netanyahu to court

Deputy defense minister sues PM; asks judge to convene Likud convention of diplomatic process with Palestinians.

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
MK Danny Danon 311 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
MK Danny Danon 311
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
The Likud faced an internal battle at the Tel Aviv District Court Wednesday when the head of the Likud central committee, Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon, sued the head of his party, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
Danon asked Judge Dafna Avnieli to require Netanyahu to convene the Likud convention for a meeting on the diplomatic process with the Palestinians and votes on key procedural matters.
Netanyahu wants to avoid convening the hawkish committee ahead of a visit to Washington.
He also doesn’t want the votes to take place because they could limit his power as Likud leader.
For instance, the convention is expected to pass a proposal that would enable Danon to convene the central committee without the backing of the party leader. Currently, Netanyahu can veto any decision to convene the committee.
Netanyahu did not come to court. He was represented at the hearing by the Likud’s attorney- general Avi Halevy and veteran deputy director-general Rafi Dwek.