Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu faces a new headache, a serious one as he may be removed from his Likud leadership position by the party’s comptroller.

After scoring a major victory with the party’s central committee, moving up elections, then enhancing the victory by persuading the Likud appeals court to overturn a different ruling, the prime minister now finds himself in a difficult situation.

Likud comptroller Shai Galili sent a letter to the prime minister explaining the issues, misappropriation of party funds and violating party protocol. The violations surround using the Metzudat Ze’ev headquarters to promote his campaign for the party leadership. Mr. Netanyahu spoke at that event and used the venue to push his campaign to remain party leader. His address was then uploaded to the party’s website, which is Likud property and not that of the prime minister.

There are other abuses of power cited, including a Chanukah events used to advance his Likud leadership campaign. The party’s comptroller explained to the prime minister that he may be dismissed as the party leader pending a hearing on the abuses cited.

A spokesman for Netanyahu’s primaries campaign called the letter “strange, outlandish and devoid of touch with reality” insinuating it is politically motivated by those working to usurp his authority as party leader. They add that Mr. Netanyahu had nothing to do with the violations cited as it is clear one in his position does not deal with the matters cited as the violations he must respond to.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)