Likud Sets Official Schedule for August 17 Primary Elections to Determine Knesset List

The Likud party has announced the official timetable for its primary elections to select the party list for Israel's 26th Knesset. The primaries will take place on Monday, August 17, 2026. Candidates can begin submitting their applications starting July 22, with the final deadline on July 27. The initial candidate list will be published on the same day, followed by a period for appeals until 6 p.m. The final list will be released on July 28.

Voting locations will be finalized and published by August 12. On election day, polling stations will operate from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The primary results are expected to be announced on August 20, with an appeals window open until August 23. Only Likud members who joined by April 17, 2025, and have paid membership fees will be eligible to vote, while only members with at least three years of membership (joined by July 21, 2023) can run as candidates.

These primaries are crucial as they will determine the order of candidates on the Likud list for the upcoming national elections, shaping the party's representation in the next Knesset. Recent weeks saw significant debate over the list formation process, but the Likud Constitution Committee approved a framework this week, which is expected to be ratified by the party conference early next week.