Deputy Minister Almog Cohen Joins Likud Primaries with Netanyahu's Endorsement
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Deputy Minister Almog Cohen, formerly of Otzma Yehudit, announced his candidacy in the Likud primaries on August 12, 2026, receiving Prime Minister Netanyahu's endorsement and a shortened waiting period. Cohen, praised for his Negev advocacy and coalition crisis role, aims to strengthen his political standing within Likud.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Deputy Minister Almog Cohen announces Likud primary candidacy on August 12, 2026.
- Cohen left Otzma Yehudit and received a shortened waiting period from PM Netanyahu.
- Netanyahu praised Cohen as a fighter and Negev advocate, supporting a new airport.
- Cohen helped resolve a coalition crisis involving Smotrich and Ben-Gvir in April 2025.
- He resigned from the Knesset under the Norwegian Law and became Deputy Minister.
- Cohen disclosed receiving PTSD treatment after fighting in the October 7 attacks in Ofakim.
Deputy Minister Almog Cohen officially announced on August 12, 2026, that he will run in the Likud party primaries. Cohen, who was previously elected to the Knesset as a member of Otzma Yehudit, left the party and received a shortened waiting period ("pazam") from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who welcomed him into Likud. In a video released alongside the announcement, Netanyahu praised Cohen as a fighter and a man of the Negev, highlighting Cohen's efforts to promote the establishment of an airport in the Negev region. Netanyahu also thanked Cohen for his decisive vote in passing the budget.
Cohen's transition to Likud follows his role in resolving a coalition crisis in April 2025 involving Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. At that time, amid government resignations and threats of withdrawal by Smotrich, Cohen resigned from the Knesset under the Norwegian Law and was appointed Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. A former Yasam commando and resident of Ofakim, Cohen fought during the October 7 attacks in his hometown and later disclosed in a Knesset committee hearing that he has been receiving treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, encouraging others to seek mental health support without shame.
This move marks a significant political shift for Cohen, who was once a member of Otzma Yehudit, a far-right party, and now seeks to establish himself within Likud ahead of upcoming elections.
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