Netanyahu’s Reserved Seats Plan Faces Crucial Vote in Likud Amid Internal Opposition

Likud members are set to vote on Monday regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and party center chairman Haim Katz’s proposal on how to conduct the upcoming primary elections and compose the party’s Knesset list. Netanyahu considers the list composition critical for electoral success and has for the first time since leading Likud promoted a committee-based system instead of traditional primaries. After several delays and disputes, members will vote at 16 polling stations on key issues, including Netanyahu’s reserved seats within the top 29 list positions. Eight reserved spots are proposed, mostly in realistic positions according to polls, specifically at places 5, 9, 11, 15, 18, 23, 26, and 29. One reserved seat is promised to Minister Haim Katz, potentially for his ally MK Eti Atiya or an additional reserved seat for her. Another reserved seat is allocated to Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, possibly including Deputy Minister Michel Buskila.

The reserved seats plan has stirred significant unrest within Likud, though most ministers and MKs avoid public criticism. MK David Bitan is a notable exception, accusing Katz of building a faction within the party. Bitan released a video urging members to vote against the proposals, warning they would weaken Likud rather than strengthen it. He emphasized the importance of members’ votes and called for independent positions free from Katz’s influence, which he described as coercive.

In contrast, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Coalition Chairman MK Ofir Katz publicly supported Netanyahu’s proposal, urging members to vote in favor to secure victory in the critical upcoming elections. Additionally, Likud members will vote on Katz’s proposal to merge some electoral districts to reduce representation complexity and will formally approve the primary election regulations.

Recent party court rulings mandated that primaries must proceed regardless of security challenges, allowing for postponement or digital voting if necessary. The court emphasized that Likud is not a one-man party and must maintain its democratic vitality through primaries, rejecting any attempts to cancel them. Senior Likud figures have recently accused Netanyahu of deliberately delaying primaries, citing security concerns as a pretext.