Netanyahu Proposes Canceling Likud Primaries Amid Security Concerns, Seeks Eight Reserved Seats

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Likud municipal leaders on July 19, 2026, to discuss preparations for upcoming elections amid ongoing security concerns. Netanyahu proposed including a clause that would allow canceling the party primaries if a security situation makes holding them difficult. Instead, a five-member organizing committee of city mayors would determine the party list.

Netanyahu also demanded eight reserved slots for candidates within the party's top 20 positions, effectively expanding the national list to between 25 and 35 candidates. The municipal leaders expressed support for the organizing committee approach, and Netanyahu plans to meet with Likud Central Committee Chairman Minister Haim Katz to negotiate the list composition.

Meanwhile, Likud MK David Bitan criticized Katz's proposals on primaries and reserved seats, accusing him of undermining the party and attempting to create a faction within the faction. Bitan emphasized that while Netanyahu deserves reserved seats, the number and placement must be carefully decided. The party's Constitution Committee was scheduled to convene that evening, with the Central Committee meeting postponed to Thursday.

This development follows a recent injunction halting the vote on the primaries and reserved seats within the Likud Central Committee. Netanyahu's moves reflect efforts to consolidate control over the candidate list amid internal party disputes and security challenges.

Summary: Prime Minister Netanyahu met with Likud municipal leaders to propose canceling primaries if security issues arise, suggesting a committee select candidates instead, while seeking eight reserved seats in the party list. Internal party tensions surfaced as MK David Bitan criticized Minister Haim Katz's approach to the primaries and reserved seats.