Tali Gottlieb Condemns Likud’s Decision to Grant Reserved Seats to Ministers

Likud MK Tali Gottlieb sharply criticized the party’s recent decision to grant reserved list spots to three ministers: Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, and Likud Central Committee Chairman Haim Katz. In a tweet on X, Gottlieb called the move "a disgraceful step mocking Likud voters," emphasizing that the ministers, especially Israel Katz, who feared the primary results, are being shielded from internal competition. She accused them of ignoring the party base’s understanding of the need to fight the judicial establishment targeting the right-wing government and its members.

The Likud party announced overnight that its secretariat will be asked to approve the placement of these ministers on the party list without them having to compete in the primaries. This approval is expected to coincide with the announcement of new candidates that Prime Minister and Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu intends to reserve spots for. The party argued that Israel Katz was likely to secure a high position in the primaries anyway, but the Likud court ruled that his spot should be guaranteed to allow him to focus on his role as Defense Minister rather than on internal campaigning.

Gideon Sa'ar’s reserved spot comes from the unity agreement between his faction and Likud, while Haim Katz’s inclusion is due to his role as chairman of the Likud Central Committee. Meanwhile, Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman mocked Israel Katz, saying, "He needs a boom boom on the head." The decision has sparked debate within the party about the balance between protecting senior ministers and respecting the democratic primary process.