Netanyahu Faces Setback as Likud Committee Limits His Primary Slots

The Likud Constitution Committee, led by party chairman Minister Haim Katz, met on Monday to discuss proposals for the primary election system with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Channel 12 reporter Amit Segal, the updated proposal agreed upon by Netanyahu and Katz grants Netanyahu seven reserved slots within the top 30 candidates on the party list. Specifically, three reserved slots will be in the first ten positions, three in the second ten, and one in the third ten, totaling eight reserved slots up to position 31 (3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 18, 26, 31).

Additionally, the proposal allows ministers, deputy ministers, and Knesset members to run in districts and sectors. The primary elections are now scheduled for August 17, 2026, instead of the previously set August 4, 2026. The vote on this proposal is set for Thursday, July 16, 2026.

This outcome marks a setback for Netanyahu, who had demanded ten reserved slots with at least five in the top ten positions. Some Likud MKs are reportedly dissatisfied even with the reduced number of eight slots and are pushing for Netanyahu to receive fewer reserved spots. The internal party tensions continue amid these negotiations, with reports describing the situation as a dramatic struggle within Likud.