Netanyahu Pushes to Limit Likud Primaries Amid Internal Party Dispute

Ahead of a key Likud committee meeting, internal tensions have surfaced over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal to limit the party's primary elections and establish a committee to determine the placement of ministers and incumbent Knesset members on the party list. This move aims to secure reserved slots for certain candidates and prevent an open primary that Netanyahu fears could harm the party's electoral prospects.

Benny Biton, mayor of Dimona and a member of the Likud local authorities team, voiced strong support for granting Netanyahu full authority over the candidate list, arguing it is unacceptable for figures like Avigdor Lieberman, Naftali Bennett, and Gadi Eisenkot to decide the list while Netanyahu, who secured 32 mandates, is sidelined. Biton suggested that the upcoming primaries might be "engineered" to favor certain districts and candidates, and predicted a decision by Netanyahu soon.

Meanwhile, Likud MK Tally Gottlieb criticized ministers Yariv Levin and Haim Katz for allegedly pushing to cancel the primaries to maintain their own power, accusing them of disregarding party voters. Katz, who chairs the Likud Constitution Committee, denied these claims, affirming his support for holding primaries and emphasizing that party members will ultimately decide the election method in the upcoming vote.

The debate reflects a broader struggle within Likud between maintaining traditional democratic primaries, once a hallmark of the party, and adapting to what some see as necessary central control amid ongoing political challenges. The Constitution Committee is set to vote on Netanyahu's proposal, which could reshape the candidate selection process ahead of the next Knesset elections.