Netanyahu Targets Six Likud MKs to Exclude from Party List Ahead of Elections

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has identified six Likud members of Knesset he reportedly wants to prevent from joining the party's candidate list for the upcoming elections, according to a report by Channel 12 on Saturday night. The targeted MKs include ministers Dudi Amsalem, Idit Silman, May Golan, Shlomo Karhi, and MK Tali Gottlieb. Despite their close association with Netanyahu and their defense of him during his last term, the prime minister is said to seek more representative figures to improve the party's image.

The Likud's Constitution Committee is scheduled to vote tomorrow on two proposed methods for selecting the party list. The first is Netanyahu's preferred plan, which includes primaries with eight reserved spots for the prime minister. The second plan involves a selection committee for the list, eight reserved spots for Netanyahu, and district representatives elected through primaries, allowing incumbent MKs to run. Both options offer Netanyahu some control, though the committee method could limit his ability to fully reshape the list since current ministers would likely retain their positions.

Likud insiders suggest Netanyahu's goal is not to remove extremists or improve the list's quality but to maintain control over the party in case of electoral defeat and ensure loyalty among elected members. The Likud party responded to the report by calling it "complete fake news," stating that Netanyahu is not seeking to oust any MKs and accusing Channel 12 of wanting to see these politicians out of politics, emphasizing that the channel does not determine party decisions.