Netanyahu Considers Reserving Knesset Seat for Businessman Dov Frances in Likud List

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly considering reserving a spot on the Likud party list for the 2026 elections for businessman and venture capitalist Dov Frances. According to a report by Amichai Yarkhi on i24NEWS, Netanyahu's team is exploring this option as part of a broader strategy to manage the party's candidate list. Concurrently, Netanyahu has expressed willingness to reduce the number of reserved slots he requests for himself to seven, down from a previously considered higher number. This move aims to ease tensions among Likud MKs and ministers, especially during the final week of the Knesset session when the coalition seeks to advance several legislative initiatives.

Not all Likud members support this plan. Former minister and Netanyahu ally Ron Dermer has declined a reserved spot so far, despite ongoing efforts by Netanyahu to persuade him. Additionally, Netanyahu's office faces challenges in finding suitable candidates willing to accept reserved positions, with aides noting a shortage of quality candidates interested in joining.

Dov Frances, founder of the venture capital fund Group 11, is known to be close to Netanyahu and has previously served as an advisor on artificial intelligence. During the protests against the judicial reform, Frances publicly opposed parts of the high-tech community that resisted the reforms and expressed support for the government's policies.