Netanyahu Pushes for Reserved Knesset Slots Ahead of Likud Primaries

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Monday morning with Minister Haim Katz at Katz's home to discuss arrangements for the upcoming Likud party primaries. Sources close to the discussions revealed that agreements are nearing regarding the number of reserved slots (shiryunim) Netanyahu will receive within the top 30 positions on the party list. Netanyahu aims to secure 10 reserved spots. Katz expressed concern that granting Netanyahu all requested reserved slots might push other Likud Knesset members to lower list positions. To address this, some reserved slots may be allocated to incumbent MKs to ease tensions.

Last week, the Likud Constitution Committee unanimously set the primary date for August 4, with the decision coordinated with Netanyahu, who initially proposed replacing primaries with a selection committee. The voter registration deadline is July 7, and primary rules will be published by July 2. Netanyahu seeks to balance the list by including MKs aligned with the party base, such as Tali Gottlieb, alongside more moderate members to attract right-leaning voters who might otherwise shift to Gadi Eizenkot's bloc.

Another key issue for Netanyahu is increasing representation of the Ethiopian community and young candidates on the list. Although Netanyahu initially voted to eliminate the youth slot in exchange for a reserved spot, he is considering adding young figures like Yosef Hadad, Neta-Lee Shem Tov, and young IDF combat veterans to attract new voters. Notably, Otzma Yehudit chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir remains the only right-wing bloc member to successfully appeal to younger voters so far.