Hadar Mukhtar Reveals Trauma After Netanyahu Denies Primary Election Waiver

Hadar Mukhtar, a young Israeli politician, opened up in an interview with Srugim just before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided not to grant her a waiver to shorten the party membership period required to run in the upcoming Likud primaries. Although optimistic during the interview, Mukhtar admitted she feared her political path might be blocked. Netanyahu later approved the waiver for Deputy Minister Almog Cohen but denied Mukhtar’s request, preventing her from competing in the primaries.

Mukhtar emphasized her unique appeal to young voters, claiming she could bring two additional Knesset seats to Likud by mobilizing youth through platforms like TikTok and Instagram. She expressed confidence that Netanyahu understood her potential, despite internal party pressures and opposition from some Likud members. Mukhtar rejected accusations that her public support for Netanyahu was mere flattery, stating she genuinely respects and stands behind the party leader regardless of his decision on her waiver.

She also revealed feeling isolated within the party’s higher ranks, despite strong grassroots support, and confirmed receiving offers from other political parties, which she declined, affirming her loyalty to Likud. Mukhtar shared a deeply personal moment from the previous election cycle, describing the loneliness and emotional toll she endured after no one contacted her following the results, a trauma that took two years to recover from.

The night before the waiver decision was announced, Mukhtar struggled with anxiety and cried alone, fearing she would not get the chance to prove herself. She admitted that politics dominates her life to the extent that she has almost no friends outside the political sphere. Despite setbacks and the emotional cost, Mukhtar vowed never to give up on her political dream and indicated she would likely endure the hardships again.

With Netanyahu’s recent decision, Mukhtar’s immediate political ambitions have been stalled, at least for the upcoming Likud primaries, as she awaits future opportunities to advance her career.