Likud Decides Hadar Mukhtar Will Not Receive Early Military Release or Run in Primaries

The Likud party estimates that Hadar Mukhtar will not be granted an early release from her military service, preventing her from participating in the upcoming party primaries. Earlier reports suggested Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intended to shorten Mukhtar's service to allow her to compete for the "new woman" slot in the party and attract younger voters. Mukhtar's associates claimed she had received explicit promises regarding this support. However, due to a current push to make the Likud list more nationally representative and heavy pressure from Knesset members and ministers, Netanyahu prefers to block the entry of additional new candidates.

In contrast, Shi Kalach's military service was shortened overnight, enabling him to run in the primaries. Mukhtar had previously expressed her intention to strengthen the right-wing, bring new voters back to the right, expose left-wing hypocrisy, and address cost of living and housing crises. Despite initial plans, the party leadership's strategic shift has halted Mukhtar's candidacy prospects for now.