Netanyahu Secures Key Ministerial Slots on Likud List Without Primaries

The Likud party secretariat is set to approve the placement of three senior figures on the party's Knesset list without holding primaries. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will secure reserved spots for Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Likud Central Committee Chairman Haim Katz. The Likud court ruled last week that Defense Minister Israel Katz must be guaranteed a spot to allow him to focus on security matters rather than politics during this period. Gideon Sa'ar's placement comes as part of a unity agreement between his party and Likud, while Haim Katz's slot is secured by virtue of his role as chairman of the party's central committee. These reserved positions are part of Netanyahu's broader efforts to finalize the Likud list ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections, with additional reserved spots expected to be proposed by the prime minister for party approval.