Likud Faces Internal Clash Over Primaries as Netanyahu Seeks Eight Reserved Seats

The Likud party's Constitution Committee is set to convene on Sunday to decide the method for selecting the party's Knesset list and the allocation of reserved seats, known as "sharions." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested eight reserved spots under both proposed selection methods: one involving primaries and the other a selection committee. The committee will vote between these two options, both favorable to Netanyahu, as they guarantee him significant reserved representation.

Minister Haim Katz, who chairs the Constitution Committee and the Likud Central Committee, publicly supports holding primaries and denies promoting a selection committee, despite rumors to the contrary. Katz emphasized that the final decision rests with Likud members voting on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Likud MK Tali Gottlieb accused ministers Yariv Levin and Israel Katz of secretly working to cancel the primaries in favor of a selection committee that would preserve their influence. Gottlieb called the idea of canceling primaries "absurd" and warned she might seriously consider not running if primaries are abolished.

Other party figures, including Minister Miri Regev, have also voiced strong support for primaries, stressing their importance to the party's democratic tradition. The internal debate comes amid a challenging electoral landscape, with polls suggesting Likud may win around 23 seats, intensifying competition for spots on the list. Several Likud MKs, including Yuli Edelstein, Dan Illouz, and Galit Distel-Atbaryan, have announced they will not run in the upcoming elections. Additionally, former Likud MK Gadi Yevarkan declared his departure from the party to form a new right-wing socio-economic party called "Beit Israel," aiming to focus on citizen welfare alongside security.

The committee's decision will shape Likud's candidate selection process ahead of the next Knesset elections, with significant implications for party unity and Netanyahu's leadership.