Intense Rivalries and Deals Mark Likud Primaries Ahead of Knesset Elections

With just one week remaining before the Likud party primaries, intense internal battles are underway as ministers and Knesset members vie for top spots on the party list. The competition is particularly fierce this time due to a relatively large number of reserved slots for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a limited number of places according to recent polls. Party members are holding special meetings, engaging with key activists, and producing social media content to reach free members who constitute about 60% of the electorate, while the remaining 40% are loyalists tied to organizations and deals.

The primaries are also marked by complex vote-trading agreements, where Knesset members who command large blocs of supporters exchange backing to secure mutual advantages. However, these deals sometimes lead to conflicts when expected support does not materialize. Veteran Likud figure Minister Haim Katz exemplifies this dynamic, wielding significant influence through his control over voters in the aerospace industry and other sectors like Israel Railways and the Airports Authority.

Tensions have escalated with allegations of political sabotage, such as the campaign against first-time candidate MK Tali Gottlieb, who relies solely on free members rather than party insiders. MK Eliyahu Ravivo openly criticized what he termed "Gottleibism," claiming it harms the party. Gottlieb’s performance in the primaries is seen as a key indicator of the party’s future direction.

Prime Minister Netanyahu is reportedly more involved than ever in the primaries, aiming to create a balanced and moderate list to regain voters who shifted to the "Yesh Atid" party led by former IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot and others who feel unrepresented. Netanyahu has secured eight reserved slots up to position 29 on the list, including one promised to Minister Katz. There is ongoing legal uncertainty about whether current Knesset members can run in regional slots, which may affect the distribution of reserved places.

As the voting day approaches, the pressure within Likud is mounting, with high stakes over who will secure a seat in the next Knesset and who will be left out, underscoring the party’s internal divisions and strategic maneuvering ahead of the elections.