Netanyahu’s primary strategy sparks anger in Likud

Ahead of Likud’s leadership primaries, Benjamin Netanyahu is still weighing the option of a “arrangement committee” while also preparing for the likely reality that primaries will be held. On Sunday, he met with senior Likud figures, including Haim Katz and Israel Katz, to explore possible formulas.

According to the report, Netanyahu has not abandoned the committee idea, even as party insiders believe the primaries are highly likely. One proposal he floated would put Likud institution heads in charge of the committee and let him secure specific slots for Knesset members, such as placing one candidate in 10th place and another in 25th, as part of a broader effort to lock in as many reserved spots as possible.

The expected primary date has already been pushed to August, either early or mid-month. Alongside that, Netanyahu is examining a controversial move that would allow sitting female MKs to run in narrower, merged districts, giving them an advantage.

That plan is seen as designed mainly to help MK Eti Atia, an ally of Haim Katz, against the leading candidate in the Dan district, Dor Harlev, one of the leaders of the “Victory Generation” faction in Likud. The proposal has triggered strong internal anger in the party.