Netanyahu's Political Purge: Loyalists Ousted from Likud List
Several long-serving Likud members, including former coalition chairwoman Idit Silman and ex-Shin Bet chief Avi Dichter, have been relegated to low or non-viable positions on the party's Knesset list, or completely removed, following the recent primaries. This outcome has sparked criticism and a sense of betrayal among those who supported Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with some describing the situation as "ingratitude" and a "stab in the back."
Silman, who defected from the Yamina party to join Likud and played a key role in collapsing the previous "change government," expressed deep disappointment, stating that Netanyahu's office has been ignoring her calls since her poor showing in the primaries. She was reportedly promised a high spot on the list but ended up at number 46. Political commentators suggest Netanyahu is unsentimental and views politicians as disposable "game pieces," prioritizing new loyalists over established figures.
Other prominent figures who found themselves out or in low positions include Boaz Bismuth, who allegedly supported a controversial conscription law, and former Likud MK Oren Hazan, who claims Netanyahu actively worked to remove him from the list in 2019 after he made a critical remark about the attorney general's legal situation. Hazan described the abrupt fall from grace, noting how the phone stops ringing and the perks of being a lawmaker disappear overnight.
Commentators like Ronit Vardi argue that Netanyahu consistently uses and discards politicians, comparing them to "kitchen towels." She points out that many of those ousted, like Silman and Dichter, were seen as having compromised their principles or dignity in service to Netanyahu, only to be unceremoniously dropped. The article suggests that new, eager candidates are always preferred over those who have already served their purpose.
The article also notes that several new candidates, including TV panelists and figures from the political right, have been placed in secure spots on the Likud list, replacing many of the party's long-time loyalists. This shift has led to accusations that Netanyahu is prioritizing a specific type of candidate, with Hazan claiming it's a "flaw" that Netanyahu only brings Ashkenazi individuals, though he considers the silence on this issue a greater flaw.
