Netanyahu's Purge: Loyalists Ousted from Likud List

Several long-serving Likud lawmakers, including former ministers and Knesset members who were considered loyal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have been removed from the party's electoral list or placed in low, non-viable positions. This includes former Health Minister Idit Silman, former Shin Bet chief Avi Dichter, and MK Boaz Bismuth, who had supported key legislation favored by Netanyahu. Their ousting has led to widespread disappointment and a sense of betrayal among those who felt they had "stuck by" Netanyahu.

Silman, in particular, has expressed deep hurt, stating that few in the Likud party contacted her after her son's wedding, despite her role in bringing down the previous government and returning Netanyahu to power. She described feeling ignored by Netanyahu's office and alluded to a meeting where she felt "strung along." Political commentators suggest Netanyahu is unsentimental and views politicians as disposable tools, discarding them once their usefulness has expired. Silman's past political shifts, from the left-wing Yamina party to the Likud, have also been highlighted, with critics labeling her a political opportunist.

Other prominent figures who supported Netanyahu, such as former MK Oren Hazan, who was famously ousted after a controversial interview, and current MKs like May Golan and Shlomo Karai, have also found themselves relegated to low list positions or removed entirely. Hazan recounted how quickly the phone stops ringing once one is no longer a Knesset member, illustrating the harsh reality of political disposability.

Commentators like Ronit Vardi describe Netanyahu's approach as ruthless, where loyalty and past contributions are disregarded in favor of new candidates who are perceived as more malleable or useful for future political battles. The article notes that many of those removed are not from the demographic Netanyahu wishes to present in the upcoming elections, suggesting a strategic reshuffling of the party's image and personnel.

Some analysts argue that while there might be instances of genuine loyalty being rewarded, the prevailing method is to use and discard supporters, with new individuals always willing to "try harder" or "lick more." The article concludes by noting that the vacated spots on the list have been filled by new candidates, including commentators from Channel 14, implying a shift in the Likud's internal dynamics and priorities.