Netanyahu Secures Knesset List Spots for Three Ministers Ahead of Likud Primaries

One week before the Likud party primaries, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing a significant move that will shape the party's Knesset candidate list. On the night between Monday and Tuesday, Likud announced that the party secretariat will be asked to approve the placement of Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, and Likud Central Committee Chairman Minister Haim Katz on the list without having to compete in the primaries. This approval is expected to coincide with the presentation of new candidates Netanyahu wishes to secure spots for.

Party officials noted that Israel Katz was already expected to rank highly in the primaries, but the Likud court ruled that his spot should be guaranteed to allow him to focus on his current role as Defense Minister rather than on internal campaign efforts. Similarly, Haim Katz is set to be included due to his position as chairman of the Likud Central Committee. Gideon Sa'ar will secure his place based on a unity agreement between his faction and Likud.

This move effectively removes three senior figures from the internal competition for votes, ensuring their continued presence on the Likud list before the voting even begins. The decision follows a court ruling that dealt a blow to some Likud MKs, including Hani Adari Sa'ar, who will not be automatically placed on the list. Netanyahu’s strategy aims to solidify his preferred lineup ahead of the primaries scheduled for next week.