Netanyahu Declines Meeting with Nir Barkat Amid Likud Primary Tensions

The Likud party primaries for the upcoming elections are set to begin tomorrow morning, with significant pressure mounting among party ministers as 14 current Knesset members risk losing their seats. Among the key figures in recent days are MK Tali Gottlieb, emerging as a surprising contender, and Minister Nir Barkat, who was reported to have attempted to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately after October 7. Barkat denied these allegations and sought a meeting with Netanyahu, which was declined by the Prime Minister's office, stating it was unnecessary.

Tali Gottlieb has recently criticized Defense Minister Israel Katz's protected slot on the list and even filed a petition against him to the Likud court, which she later withdrew following discussions with the court president. The court acknowledged procedural flaws in Katz's candidacy process but deemed them unlikely to recur. Netanyahu has orchestrated the party's top ten list, leaving only 15 spots for men and three realistic spots for women out of eight prominent female members, signaling that several veteran ministers and MKs may not secure a place in the next Knesset.

The competition is fierce not only for the lower slots but also at the top of the list, with senior Likud figures Amir Ohana, Miri Regev, Eli Cohen, and Yariv Levin vying for top five positions to strengthen their standing within the party. Currently, the Likud includes 14 senior officials, including 12 ministers and the Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. Other notable candidates include new MKs like Almog Cohen, who recently received Netanyahu's endorsement, and Avichai Boaron, appointed by Netanyahu to a senior organizational role. Hanoch Milvitsky, with a strong base in Petah Tikva, and MK Moshe Saada, known for his focus on judicial reform, are also considered strong contenders.

The primaries reflect internal party struggles and strategic positioning ahead of the elections, with Netanyahu maintaining tight control over the list and rejecting attempts to challenge his leadership, as exemplified by his refusal to meet Barkat. The results will significantly shape the Likud's parliamentary representation and leadership dynamics going forward.