Ohana and Gottlieb Lead Likud Primary Poll, Katz Falls to 13th Place

A recent poll conducted by Dr. Nimrod Nir from the Agam Institute among over 1,000 Likud party members reveals the potential outcome of the upcoming party primaries. According to the survey, Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana, MK Tali Gottlieb, and MK Boaz Bismuth top the list, with Ohana securing the first place. The top ten also include Minister Eli Cohen, MK Moshe Saada, Minister Amichai Shikli, Coalition Chairman MK Ofir Katz, MK Avichai Boaron, Minister Miri Regev, and Minister Yariv Levin.

Defense Minister Israel Katz, despite being granted a reserved slot in the party list, ranks 13th in the primaries, trailing behind Minister Shlomo Karhi and media personality Erez Tadmor. Another reserved candidate, MK Haim Katz, is placed even lower at 35th among Likud members. The poll also distinguishes between loyal Likud voters and those who are wavering or have left the party. While Ohana leads among party members, former Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat tops the list among wavering voters.

The reserved slots for Israel Katz, Gideon Sa'ar, and Haim Katz significantly alter the party list composition, prioritizing these ministers and pushing several veteran MKs and ministers such as Hanoch Milwitsky, Gila Gamliel, Dudi Amsalem, Miki Zohar, and Idit Silman to unrealistic positions below 30th place. Likud members were also surveyed on preferred reserved candidates, with Deputy Minister Almog Cohen receiving 39.3% support, followed by spokesperson Yosef Hadad and others.

Regarding coalition preferences, 66.1% of Likud members favor a full right-wing government including the Religious Zionist Party, Otzma Yehudit, and ultra-Orthodox parties, while 33.9% prefer a unity government with center-right factions. Among Likud voters, the preference for a full right-wing government is lower at 45.1%. The poll results come amid internal party tensions over reserved slots and less than a week before the Likud primaries for the next Knesset elections.