Tali Gottlieb Leads Likud Voters' Popularity Poll Ahead of Primaries

A special poll conducted by "Ulpan Shishi" ahead of the Likud party primaries scheduled for Monday reveals a significant lead for Member of Knesset Tali Gottlieb among Likud voters. Gottlieb garnered nearly 40% (39.3%) of respondents naming her as one of the top three candidates they want to see in the Knesset. She is followed by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, who received 25.1% support, marking a clear gap between the two.

The poll reflects the preferences of Likud voters rather than official party members eligible to vote in the primaries, so it does not predict the final results, which are often influenced by internal party deals. However, it provides insight into the current mood among the party's electorate. With only about 14 realistic spots available on the Likud list due to recent seat projections and reserved slots promised by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, many incumbent ministers and MKs risk losing their seats.

Other prominent figures in the poll include Defense Minister Israel Katz with 18.1%, Economy Minister Nir Barkat at 17.8%, Transport Minister Miri Regev at 15%, and Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Shikli at 13%. The poll was conducted amid the ongoing "coup" controversy, which may not yet be fully reflected in the data.

Several senior ministers and MKs are polling at lower levels, potentially placing them outside realistic list positions. These include Communications Minister Shlomo Karai (4.7%), Education Minister Yoav Kish (4.2%), Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz (3.5%), and Finance Committee Chair Hanoch Milwitsky (2.5%). Environment Minister Idit Silman, who recently switched from the opposition government, also shows low support at 2.9%.

The poll was conducted online on August 13, 2026, with a sample of 407 Likud voters and a margin of error of ±4.9%. It was prepared by Meno Geva's Consulting and Research.