Deputy Minister Almog Cohen Joins Likud, Announces Primary Bid

Deputy Minister Almog Cohen officially declared his candidacy for the Likud party primaries on August 12, 2026. Cohen, who was previously elected to the Knesset as a member of Otzma Yehudit, left the party and received a shortened waiting period ("kitzur pazam") from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to join Likud. In a video released alongside the announcement, Netanyahu welcomed Cohen, praising him as a fighter and a Negev resident committed to advancing a new airport in the region. Netanyahu also thanked Cohen for his decisive vote in passing the budget.

Cohen’s transition to Likud follows his role in helping resolve a coalition crisis in April 2025 involving Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. At that time, 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 has been open about his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder after fighting in his hometown during the October 7 attacks, urging others to seek mental health support.

This move marks a significant political shift for Cohen, who had been a member of Otzma Yehudit, a far-right party. His integration into Likud, facilitated by Netanyahu’s endorsement, signals a consolidation of right-wing figures within the ruling party ahead of upcoming elections.