Netanyahu Faces Backlash Over Reserved Knesset Slots for Key Likud Figures

A late-night announcement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reserving Knesset slots for top Likud members sparked intense criticism within the party on Tuesday. The move, which includes reserved positions for Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, and Likud Central Committee Chairman Haim Katz, is seen by many ministers and MKs as an undemocratic power grab that sidelines incumbent lawmakers and bypasses the party electorate.

Senior Likud officials accused Israel Katz of pressuring Netanyahu to secure his spot on the list in exchange for approving the reserved slots. One senior party member called it "blackmail," while others labeled the process a "scandal," "hostile takeover by party operatives," and "corruption." Concerns were also raised about conflicts of interest, as Haim Katz chairs the party’s Central Committee and Israel Katz leads the Secretariat, both involved in approving the reserved slots.

The Likud court approved the request to reserve Katz’s slot citing his critical security role amid an unspecified security situation. However, some party members doubt the reserved slots for the "Katz duo" will be ratified by the Likud Secretariat, which includes many lawmakers who stand to lose their seats. The reserved slots increase the total number of protected positions to nine, with Israel Katz and Gideon Sa'ar expected in the top ten, and Haim Katz in the second ten.

The controversy follows a recent Tel Aviv District Court ruling that all candidates must run in a national list rather than regional primaries, threatening the parliamentary futures of many Likud MKs. Netanyahu reportedly fears rising star MK Tali Gottlieb could break into the top ten, prompting him to "lock" the list with loyalists. Gottlieb criticized the reserved slots on social media as a disgrace to Likud voters.

The internal battle over the reserved slots is expected to intensify ahead of the August 17 primaries, which will involve about 142,000 party members. The struggle highlights deep divisions within Likud over candidate selection and party democracy just days before the vote.