The Likud’s internal court convened Dec. 19 at the party's Tel Aviv headquarters. In an unusual step, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also heads the Likud, arrived there to participate in the proceedings. Evidently, he had a war to win, and he wanted to be there in person to be sure of the result. At stake was Netanyahu’s campaign to remove several thousand members who had joined the party rather recently.

The former prime minister did not make do with just being present. His "show" included Netanyahu banging on the table, raising his voice and alluding to a disaster waiting in the wings. In fact, these images of Netanyahu banging on the party headquarters' table like any other political wheeler-dealer seem light-years apart from the pictures of the statesman and leader who signed only a year ago the historic Abraham Accords on the White House lawn. The change is amazing.

Netanyahu could have sent another high-ranking Likud member to represent him at the party’s internal court, but apparently it was important to him to make a personal appearance and ensure that the task was being implemented. Of course, he was also sending a message to rivals inside the party and outside of it — that he isn't going anywhere.

Still, in order to understand the campaign Netanyahu suddenly embarked on, we must understand what was at stake. A few years ago, a group formed in the Likud, calling themselves “the new Likud members.” Their agenda was to return the party to its old values — to honesty and integrity (which they claimed was destroyed by Netanyahu). The group became more popular over time and succeeded in drawing in several thousand new members, perhaps even between 7,000 and 12,000. They became an organized force that participated in the internal elections for electing Knesset members and the heads of the list.