Likud Faces Internal Strife as Election Lists Close; Winter Goes Solo
Israel's Knesset election candidate lists were set to close on Monday, September 7, with the ruling Likud party experiencing intense internal negotiations. The party leadership debated late into the night how many candidates Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could place on reserved "broun" spots and at what positions. Reports indicated that two Netanyahu-favored candidates, initially slated for the top ten, might be pushed to lower positions due to pressure from influential Likud members concerned about displacing incumbent lawmakers and ministers.
The final decision on Netanyahu's reserved spots is expected to be approved by the party secretariat on Tuesday morning, September 8. Netanyahu had secured the right to ten personal "broun" slots, with four intended for the top ten. The tight race for seats, with Likud polling around 23 mandates, means even minor shifts in candidate placement could determine Knesset entry. The article notes that the influence of Netanyahu on the party list is not absolute, as evidenced by the primary election results where Eli Cohen, Amir Ohana, and Yariv Levin secured the top spots.
Separately, former IDF Brigadier General Ofir Winter's party, "Am Israel," is set to present its candidate list on Monday, September 7. Winter has reportedly decided against merging with Bezalel Smotrich's "Religious Zionism" party and will run independently. Smotrich urged Winter to reconsider, warning of wasted votes and a potential left-wing victory, but Winter stated he would not be pressured and is committed to his independent political project, aiming to introduce a new force in Israeli politics. Winter, however, indicated he would support Netanyahu for prime minister while calling for the resignation of leaders in place on October 7.
Winter's independent run is seen as a significant development for the right-wing bloc, potentially splitting the vote among parties targeting a similar electorate. The article highlights that the final hours before list submission remain dynamic, with potential shifts within Likud and the broader right-wing political landscape still possible.
