Eli Cohen says Netanyahu may secure 4 to 10 reserved slots in Likud

Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen said in an interview with ynet that the upcoming ultra-Orthodox protests should be handled with clear limits. Referring to the previous demonstration, he said he saw “images I did not like to see,” including violence by police, but added that public disorder and disruptions to people’s daily lives must stop. Cohen said the police and legal advisers should issue an organized directive, “also toward Kaplanists,” a reference to anti-government protesters.

Cohen also addressed the Likud primary process and said the party is heading into negotiations over reserved slots on its list. He said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to secure as many such slots as possible and is currently demanding 10.

According to Cohen, the final number will be lower than that demand and higher than the minimum, saying it will “be cut in the middle” and end up between four and 10 reserved slots.