Gideon Sa'ar

"The decision by the Israeli government to publish bid offers for construction projects within the framework of the E1 settlers' project is unacceptable," said a joint statement.

"This important step will enable all Israelis who wish to travel to beautiful Malta to do so," said Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar.

The primaries come amid fierce internal tensions over changes that have expanded Netanyahu’s control over the party’s Knesset slate, which have made the primaries more competitive than in past years.

DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS: Latin America and Slovenia are examples of countries’ shifting ties with Israel that reflect how relations have become an ideological marker in domestic politics.

Voters choose a party on Election Day; they cannot rearrange its candidates or express a preference for particular individuals.

Emergency teams aided by police, soldiers and volunteers have been working with excavators and, at times, their bare hands, hunting for survivors beneath debris.

Netanyahu wants the ability to add people from high-tech, economics, security, and other fields who can broaden the party’s appeal and give it greater governing credibility. The problem is the scale.

The interim order was issued during Tuesday’s Likud Secretariat vote because Haim Katz had already registered for the August 17 primaries and begun campaigning.

The UK and Israeli foreign ministers discussed Gaza, Hamas disarmament, Iran and antisemitism, as Miliband pressed Sa’ar over West Bank violence.

The move creates an official channel of coordination between Israel and Venezuela, which have not maintained diplomatic relations since 2009.