Netanyahu Faces Internal Opposition Over Likud Primary Voting Changes and List Formation

The Likud party is experiencing significant internal tension following a forced change in the primary election system, which now includes a secret ballot vote by the party's central committee. This shift has particularly unsettled backbench Knesset members who fear their chances of reelection will diminish if the candidate list is predominantly arranged by a selection committee. The Likud Constitution Committee is set to convene today and again on Sunday evening, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attending, to finalize the primary date, reserved slots, and the voting order. Two days later, on Tuesday, 16 voting centers will open for secret ballots by the party's central members to approve the committee's decisions.

Netanyahu is reportedly pushing for a tightly controlled, disciplined, and ideologically aligned list, aiming to avoid a radical lineup that could challenge his leadership in the next Knesset. His concerns stem from recent difficulties passing legislation due to ideological divides within the party. Senior ministers generally support the initiative privately, confident their positions are secure, but there is apprehension among others that Netanyahu might exclude certain candidates for personal reasons. Notably, Netanyahu desires reserved slots for figures such as Local Government Chair Haim Bibas, youth representative Yosef Hadad, and media personality Netaly Shem Tov, including high placements like second and fourth on the list, though some senior party members consider these demands unrealistic.

Opposition to the selection committee system comes mainly from prominent figures like Constitution Committee Chair Haim Katz and MK David Bitan. Katz, who supports holding primaries, also seeks to protect allies such as MK Eti Atiya. Bitan, fearing a loss of influence, recently petitioned the Likud court demanding an immediate primary process and that any reserved slots requested by Netanyahu be subject to secret votes by the central committee. Newer MKs, including Tali Gottlieb, also favor primaries to maintain control over their political futures and have criticized Netanyahu for sidelining them despite their loyalty.

The timeline for the primaries is tight, with July 15 as the deadline for submitting financial support forms to the Knesset. Several unresolved issues regarding the voting mechanism further complicate the process. MK Moshe Saada expressed hope that party members would vote based on values rather than reserved slots, comparing Netanyahu's negotiation style to a "Mediterranean bazaar" where initial demands are inflated only to be compromised later. As the party awaits the committee's final decisions, Netanyahu remains guarded about his next moves, while internal divisions continue to surface.