Netanyahu's Reserved Knesset Seats May Shift Lower Amid Likud Pressure

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reserved spots on the Likud party's Knesset list are reportedly being moved to lower positions due to pressure from senior party officials. Initially, Netanyahu secured two reserved seats within the top ten, with plans for four in the top ten and eight overall. However, internal party discussions suggest these reserved seats may now fall into the second ten on the list. The party's secretariat meeting to approve Netanyahu's reserved seats has been postponed to Tuesday.

Netanyahu had previously placed himself in the third and ninth positions, and also reserved spots for ministers Israel Katz and Gideon Saar at numbers four and five. He also announced the addition of Oren Dubronsky at the eleventh position, the only new name so far. Ministers Nir Barkat and Gila Gamliel are expected to remain in their current realistic spots of 24 and 25, despite recent polls showing the Likud winning only 23 seats.

Meanwhile, former IDF general Ofir Winter is expected to submit his party's list, 'Am Israel,' on Monday. He reportedly rejected mediation efforts for a joint run with Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism party. Winter stated he is not rushing to unite and is focused on bringing something new and hopeful to the Israeli people, suggesting that many politicians who served on October 7th should leave office. He believes there will be a protest vote on October 27th.

In other news, Beer Sheva Mayor Rubik Daniilovich declined a significant offer to be placed third on the Likud list, serve as a senior minister, and deputy prime minister. The Likud tribunal also confirmed election results for the Be'er Ya'akov polling station, and following MK Etty Attia's resignation, decided to ensure female representation by placing MK Eti Attia at the 20th spot and Minister Gila Gamliel at the 25th spot on the list.