Nir Barkat Faces Cold Response from Netanyahu Amid Likud Primary Tensions

As the Likud party primaries begin tomorrow, Nir Barkat is confronting reports that he attempted to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately after October 7. Barkat denied these claims but failed to secure a meeting with Netanyahu to clarify the matter. Netanyahu's office rejected the request, stating there was "no need" for a discussion.

Barkat must now address this controversy while competing for a favorable position on the Likud list. The primaries are expected to be highly competitive, with only 15 slots remaining for men up to the 30th place and just three realistic spots for women, out of eight prominent female incumbents. This means 14 current Knesset members risk losing their seats in the next Knesset.

A notable conflict involves MK Tali Gottlieb, who recently opposed the reserved slot for Defense Minister Israel Katz and filed a petition with the Likud court. After discussions with court president Michael Kleiner, she withdrew the petition. The court criticized Katz’s handling of the primaries, noting a "misleading" situation where the reserved slot was decided behind the scenes while primaries continued.

The battle also extends to the top five spots on the list, with Amir Ohana, Miri Regev, Eli Cohen, and Yariv Levin vying for positions. Other candidates gaining attention include Almog Cohen, who recently received a shortened military service and a Netanyahu endorsement video; Avichai Boaron, appointed by Netanyahu to a senior Likud field role; Hanoch Milvitsky, who commands about 800 party members in Petah Tikva; and Moshe Saada, known for his focus on judicial system issues during his last term.