Netanyahu Pushes Committee Plan to Control Likud Knesset List Ahead of Primaries

The Likud Constitution Committee, chaired by Minister Haim Katz, is set to convene on Sunday evening to finalize the method for selecting the party's Knesset list and approve the primary election regulations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has postponed his participation in the committee three times to delay sensitive discussions, aiming to reduce internal tensions and prevent rebellious behavior by incumbent MKs who might lose their seats in the final week before elections. After committee approval, the proposal will face a dramatic vote at the Likud convention, where about 5,000 members will vote secretly across 15 polling stations nationwide, despite a rare warning from the party's internal auditor, Attorney Shay Galili, about serious legal risks in canceling the primaries.

Two main frameworks are under consideration, both favoring Netanyahu's interests amid intense behind-the-scenes negotiations with committee chairman Haim Katz and MK David Bitan, who leads the internal opposition. Netanyahu demands 10 to 11 personal reserved slots, including four in the top ten, to reshape the faction by inserting loyal and representative figures. Another hybrid model, supported by some ministers, proposes a steering committee to determine the placement of 20 ministers and incumbent MKs, alongside primaries only for district representatives, effectively pre-determining the top 30 list spots. To ease tensions, there is talk of combining three districts before the 30th spot and amending party rules to restrict incumbents from running in reserved districts meant for newcomers.

This plan benefits Netanyahu but alarms many Likud MKs, as it drastically limits the number of seats incumbents can contest. Those excluded from reserved slots or the steering committee would have to compete in districts. Netanyahu aims to refresh the party's image by replacing MKs like Tali Gottlieb, Dudi Amsalem, Idit Silman, May Golan, and Shlomo Karhi with more representative figures, including local government leaders close to him such as Haim Bibas and Tali Guaily, mother of a fallen soldier. A source described the emerging list structure as "showcase, store, and warehouse."

If established, the steering committee would be led by Tzvika Brot, alongside influential Likud local leaders including Bibas, Ronen Flot, Benny Biton, Yaakov Peretz, and Shay Hajaj. Gottlieb, seen as the biggest threat to Netanyahu's plan due to her popularity and influence, has warned she might not run if primaries are canceled, stating, "If I'm not there, you won't be in the Knesset. Everyone will vote for Ben Gvir." The pressure is intense, with about 60 candidates, including 43 incumbents, competing for roughly 20 realistic spots. Netanyahu has promised a "large Norwegian law" requiring ministers to resign their Knesset seats to allow new MKs to enter, contingent on Likud forming the next government.

Meanwhile, political battles continue over election rules, including disputes about polling station locations near nursing homes. Opposition figures like Hili Tropper plan to join Gadi Eisenkot's list, which intends to include only a few members, while Benny Gantz's camp faces challenges crossing the electoral threshold, with insiders describing their list as an "option for sale" rather than a party.