Likud Faces Intense Primaries Battle Amid Judicial Reform Debate

In the final days leading up to the Likud party primaries on Monday, candidates and current members are engaged in a vigorous campaign across Israel, from north to south. The primaries feature 124 candidates competing for approximately 40 spots on the national list, excluding reserved slots for youth, immigrants, people with disabilities, and women. Despite a record 140,000 party members eligible to vote, the list is one of the smallest in recent years due to numerous reserved positions and the party's current standing in polls.

Several sitting Knesset members, including Moshiko Pasal, Eliyahu Ravivo, and Tzaga Malko, have withdrawn, citing slim chances amid the large number of reserved spots granted by Netanyahu at key list positions (3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 18, 26, and 29) and the expanded Knesset size under the Norwegian Law. Candidates must secure over 20,000 votes to win a realistic spot, with the average around 25,000 votes, prompting intense grassroots campaigning.

Central to the campaign discourse is the judicial reform, which has mobilized voters and shaped candidate popularity. Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a prominent advocate for reform, is actively engaging with party activists nationwide. Transportation Minister Miri Regev has launched a branded mobile broadcast unit to promote her agenda and connect with voters through podcasts and social media.

Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz, running on the national list, has been meeting extensively with party members despite a demanding schedule, emphasizing his legislative achievements. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Almog Cohen, who recently joined Likud from Otzma Yehudit, is conducting a focused campaign leveraging social media and a video with Netanyahu to gain traction.

In addition to the national list, district representatives are also being elected amid legal challenges that barred incumbent candidates from running in districts. The party's internal court and the judiciary upheld these restrictions, adding to the primaries' complexity. Overall, the Likud primaries are expected to bring significant changes to the party's composition ahead of upcoming elections.