Likud spokesman predicts October 20 election and says Netanyahu wants new blood in the party

Likud spokesman Guy Levy said in an interview on Tuesday on Kan Reshet Bet’s "Kovanovich" program that he expects the Knesset election to be held on October 20. He was asked about Prime Minister and Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu’s reported desire to cancel the party primaries and said the party needs "a makeover and new blood," with new people who see things differently, including because of October 7 and other factors.

Levy said Likud would work to bring in more candidates with experience, younger figures and people with proven records, who would add another layer to the party. He said Netanyahu received the idea of canceling the primaries from the grassroots and is reviewing it.

He added that Likud has "excellent Knesset members" and expressed confidence that the party’s 170,000 members will choose the party’s candidates. Levy also said Netanyahu believes there are several names he still needs to bring in, and that once he does, both Likud members and Likud voters will be very happy that they joined the party.

The article also notes, in separate brief items, a comment from Yuli Edelstein saying he would run if the Likud primary is fair, and that Gila Gamliel-Atzbarian announced she will not run in the coming election.