Netanyahu Seeks to Remove Five Loyal Likud MKs Ahead of Primaries

Ahead of the Likud party primaries, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing to remove five Members of Knesset closely loyal to him from the party list. The targeted MKs include Tali Gottlieb, Dudi Amsalem, Idit Silman, May Golan, and Shlomo Karhi. Netanyahu aims to improve the "Likud brand" by reserving 10 protected slots within the top 20 list positions, split evenly between the first two tens, to bring in more representative figures. Although Netanyahu prefers candidates like Gabi Ashkenazi, Yossi Cohen, or Haim Bibas, none are expected to join.

Tali Gottlieb is seen as the biggest threat to Netanyahu’s plans due to her popularity within the party base and her ability to sway voters. She has warned that without her, voters might shift to Itamar Ben-Gvir. Despite ongoing efforts to sideline her, party insiders doubt success given her strong grassroots support.

Approximately 60 candidates, including 43 current MKs and ministers, are competing for about 20 realistic list spots in the primaries. To ease tensions, Netanyahu has promised a "large Norwegian law" that would require all ministers to resign their Knesset seats, allowing more MKs to enter parliament if Likud forms the next government.

The internal party struggle unfolds amid coalition challenges, including upcoming Knesset votes on extending mandatory IDF service and granting exemptions from arrest to ultra-Orthodox who do not enlist. Netanyahu is working to secure party discipline to prevent conscience votes. Meanwhile, political battles continue over election rules, such as relocating polling stations away from nursing homes. In the opposition, Hili Tropper is expected to join Gadi Eizenkot’s list, which plans only limited additions. Benny Gantz’s camp faces difficulties as they are seen as selling an option rather than a party and risk failing to pass the electoral threshold.