Netanyahu Faces Internal Likud Backlash Over Primary Reservations Amid Security Concerns

As the Likud party's central committee votes on proposals initiated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister Haim Katz, internal tensions have surfaced regarding the party's primary elections. Yechiel Zohar, mayor of Netivot and a prominent Likud figure, criticized ministers and Knesset members seeking reserved spots on the party list, stating that those unable to win in the nationwide primaries among 140,000 party members should not request reservations. Zohar warned that a list including reserved candidates who avoid primaries would fail to bring renewal to Likud and risk relegating the party to opposition.

The central committee is expected to approve Netanyahu's proposal, but the fate of a related suggestion allowing Knesset members to run in contested districts remains undecided. Earlier, Dimona Mayor Benny Biton, a Netanyahu ally, publicly supported canceling the primaries altogether and granting Netanyahu broad authority to determine the party list, citing the current security situation and the prime minister's upcoming critical diplomatic visit as reasons to avoid internal disputes over primaries and reservations.

These developments highlight growing unease within Likud as members debate the best approach to candidate selection amid national security challenges and internal party dynamics. The outcome of today's vote will shape the party's candidate list ahead of upcoming elections and reflect Netanyahu's influence over Likud's internal processes.