Be'er Sheva Mayor Benny Biton Urges Likud to Let Netanyahu Decide Party List Amid Primaries Dispute

Benny Biton, the mayor of Be'er Sheva and a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, spoke out on Monday in support of canceling the Likud party primaries and granting Netanyahu broad authority to determine the party's Knesset candidate list. In an interview on 103fm, Biton criticized the ongoing internal disputes within Likud over reserved slots on the list, especially given the current security situation.

Biton highlighted the problematic timing of the conflict, noting that Netanyahu is preparing for a crucial diplomatic visit in the Middle East while the party is preoccupied with internal elections. He argued that Netanyahu should be allowed, on a temporary basis, to set the list with the help of an advisory committee so he can focus on pressing regional matters.

The mayor downplayed the significance of list placement, citing Defense Minister Israel Katz, who secured the 12th spot yet became defense minister, and former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who was placed 29th but served as acting prime minister and finance minister. Biton called the internal disputes over rankings "just bickering" and emphasized that other parties are actively campaigning while Likud is distracted by infighting.

This statement comes amid a broader debate within Likud about the party's candidate selection process, with Netanyahu pushing for reserved slots to ensure key figures' inclusion. Biton's remarks underscore the tension between party democracy and strategic leadership during a sensitive period for Israel's security and diplomacy.