Likud Pushes Back Against Netanyahu’s Election Slates and Primary Changes

Tensions are rising inside Likud ahead of the election, as senior party figures publicly resisted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to secure reserved spots on the party list and even consider scrapping primaries altogether. In comments aired Sunday, allies and ministers made clear that many in the party do not want a committee to hand out slots.

An associate of MK David Bitan said, “David will not allow there to be a arranging committee. Only primaries.” Netanyahu has been pressing the idea in separate conversations, and Transportation Ministry Director General Moshe Ben Zaken took part in one such political discussion with the prime minister. Transportation Minister Miri Regev is also said not to rule out Netanyahu’s proposal.

Other Likud members were more blunt. Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar said, “I prefer primaries. There will be no committee, there will be primaries.” Minister Idit Silman said, “I don’t care about anything, with a committee or without a committee I will be in the next Knesset.” MK Sasson Guetta said, “If Bibi gives me to be in the top ten, I will sell you all.”

Netanyahu has defended the move by stressing the stakes of the coming vote. Last week, he was reported as saying, “These are fateful elections, we need to take exceptional steps, we need to pass a list that can address more audiences.” One figure he has reportedly marked for removal is MK Tali Gottlieb, whom he views as driving voters away and hurting Likud’s ability to maximize mandates. Party sources and others involved say his chances of fully eliminating primaries are low, so the battle is likely still an internal power struggle rather than a settled plan.