Netanyahu Negotiates Reserved Seats in Likud List Amid Internal Party Dispute

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Likud Secretary Haim Katz to discuss the ongoing negotiations over reserved spots on the party's candidate list ahead of the August 4 primaries. According to an informed source, both sides are seeking a compromise that balances the party's democratic values, the introduction of new members, and protection for veteran Knesset members. The issue remains unresolved, with eight reserved seats considered the minimum acceptable, while Netanyahu aims for eleven.

Last week, amid tensions over the number of reserved seats Netanyahu demands, the Likud Constitution Committee set the primary election date. Netanyahu's close associates issued a rare warning that if his request for ten reserved seats is not met, he may leave Likud and split the faction, which would severely impact party funding, although he would not take the party name with him.

The dispute has been ongoing for weeks, driven by Netanyahu's concern that some current Likud MKs repel voters due to criminal suspicions or offensive behavior. Based on research and polls, Netanyahu has compiled a list of MKs he prefers to exclude from the next Knesset list. Meanwhile, Likud is also considering adding high-quality candidates, including the possibility of reserving a spot for Menashe Zalaka, a proposal recently presented to Netanyahu for evaluation of its political and public implications.