Netanyahu Secures Key Wins at Likud Conference Amid Internal Disputes

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud Secretary Chairman Minister Haim Katz achieved a significant victory at the Likud conference on Monday, as the party's central committee approved three major proposals ahead of the upcoming primaries. The most notable success for Netanyahu was the approval to reserve eight candidate slots up to the 29th position on the Likud list for the Knesset elections, passing with 2,148 votes in favor against 1,220 opposed.

Another proposal, which involved changes to the election method and primary regulations, also passed comfortably with 2,181 votes supporting it and 1,193 opposing. However, a highly contentious proposal allowing incumbent Knesset members, ministers, and deputy ministers to run in district slots was approved by a razor-thin margin of just five votes (1,678 to 1,673). Due to the narrow vote and disputes over the counting, Likud expects appeals against this result to be filed with the party's court.

These appeals are likely to focus on the controversial clause permitting incumbents to compete in district races, a decision that could directly impact the political futures of many sitting Knesset members. The eight reserved slots for Netanyahu reduce the number of open positions on the list, and if the court overturns the district candidacy option, some incumbents may lose viable paths to secure realistic placements.

Likud reported that over 3,400 central committee members participated in the vote, representing nearly 75% of eligible voters, signaling strong grassroots engagement. Political analysts suggest that Netanyahu may use some of the reserved slots to promote alliances with smaller right-wing parties such as Otzma Yehudit, Religious Zionism, Noam, and Zehut, aiming to minimize the risk of losing votes below the electoral threshold.

Despite the broad approval of the three proposals, internal party conflicts persist, and the focus is expected to shift to the party court in the coming days for final rulings.