Likud is now first party in Israel with direct primaries for everybody

The Likud's central commitee has approved what can certainly be helpful in the upcoming elections by enabling even rank-and-file voters to participate in choosing candidates for their list. From Israel National News:

The Likud Central Committee voted Wednesday evening to relinquish its power to choose the party's Knesset list. The Likud is the first Israeli party to choose its entire list via direct primaries.

Likud Party chairman Binyamin Netanyahu urged the 3,000 Central Committee members to approve the change - stripping them of the power to choose the party's MKs - in order to make the Likud a more democratic party. He stressed that the move would demonstrate to the country that the party now stands for accountability.

"The proposal I have put forward today is good for the Likud and also for all the parties," Netanyahu said. "I know that what I am asking of you is not simple. I know it is not easy. I know that many members have doubts, but I know that tonight you will display responsibility and will do the right thing for the Likud and for democracy and for the State of Israel."

And they did. It's a very good and interesting step to help curb political corruption and to display accountability to the voters. A most positive step in helping to make the political scene more impressive in Israel.