Netanyahu Weighs Reserving Spot for Journalist Netael Shem Tov as Bereaved Father Enters Likud Race

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been holding discussions about reserving a place on the Likud list for journalist Netael Shem Tov, according to a Thursday night report on Kan News. Shem Tov, a former reporter for Channels 12 and 13, lives in Metula and was evacuated from her home because of the war. People close to Netanyahu said she has been approached more than once, but has not yet given a final answer. Other sources said the issue has come up in talks with Netanyahu, but has not advanced beyond that. Neither Shem Tov nor Likud has responded.

The report comes as Netanyahu has also been considering other reserve spots on the party slate for the Knesset. Recent reporting said he is examining places for former finance minister Moshe Kahlon, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut mayor and Local Government Center chairman Haim Bibas. According to Likud sources, Netanyahu is expected to demand reserving eight or nine candidates overall, including three in the top 10, two in the second 10, and at least three in the third 10.

In parallel, Channel 13 reported that Eli Shteyui, the father of Idan Shteyui, plans to run in the Likud primaries. Idan Shteyui was killed on October 7 and his body was taken to Gaza. Eli Shteyui said: "Above me every day stands the figure of my son, Idan Shteyui, a hero of Israel, which reminds me of the magnitude of responsibility and mission." He said that since October 7 he has felt a moral duty not to stand aside.

Shteyui added that he believes the true legacy of children is unity in Israel, above disputes and camps, and that he intends to work in public life to connect people and communities and strengthen mutual responsibility. Idan Shteyui, 28, from Gan Yavne, was killed at the Nova party after staying behind to help a group that could not leave. They later came under fire from a Hamas cell. On October 7, 2024, a year after he was abducted, it was reported that he had in fact been killed on the day of the massacre, and his body was returned to Israel in a secret operation.