Two Likud MKs Threaten to Quit Primaries Over Netanyahu’s Reserved Slots for Ministers

Two Likud members of Knesset are considering withdrawing from the party’s primary elections in protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to reserve slots on the party list for three ministers. The ministers Israel Katz (Defense Minister), Haim Katz (Labor Minister and Likud Central Committee Chairman), and Gideon Sa’ar (Foreign Minister) are set to be placed on the list without competing in the primaries, a move announced by the Likud party secretariat. This arrangement is expected to be approved alongside the announcement of new candidates Netanyahu intends to reserve positions for.

The party defended the decision by stating that Israel Katz was likely to secure a high position in the primaries anyway. Additionally, the Likud court ruled that Katz’s spot should be guaranteed to allow him to focus on his current role as Defense Minister rather than on internal party campaigning. The potential withdrawals highlight internal tensions within Likud over Netanyahu’s control of the candidate selection process ahead of upcoming elections.