The Likud Central Committee on Sunday voted against the prospect of primaries for its party list at a highly contentious conference held in Tel Aviv.
The party's governing mechanism also decided to implement the so-called "Norwegian Law" – an amendment that allows ministers or deputy ministers to resign from the Knesset but remain a minister, with their Knesset seat taken by the next person on the party's list – in case a right-wing coalition government is being formed.
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Likud MK Gideon Sa'ar, who declared he plans to vie for the party's head, delivered a speech at the event and was booed and heckled by most.
Sa'ar claimed that party officials are trying to besmirch him for challenging Netanyahu, saying, "There are some people who try to smear those who want to run for Likud headship. It's legitimate to challenge someone who held the position for 14 years."
He later took to Twitter, writing, "I am determined to run for the party leadership out of an understanding that a change is needed. A turning point must be achieved in order to rescue the nation from the ongoing political crisis, establish a Likud-led government and unify the people."
Netanyahu took the stage next, saying, "We still don't know whether we'll go to elections or not. We are making a last-ditch effort to prevent it, but if they force it on us, we will win big."
Likud MK Yoav Kisch said Saturday that he supports Sa'ar's candidacy, listing his fear for a decline in the right-wing bloc's voter turnout in case of a third election.
"We may lose the right-wing rule and the only one who can get us out of this situation is Gideon Sa'ar. On Wednesday, we are likely to head to another election and I wish there'll be a different solution to this situation."
He further cautioned that going to the polls for the third time in one year may cause unrest, saying "the right-wing bloc will likely pay a heavy price."
