Likud Primaries Begin With Over 120 Candidates Competing for Limited Knesset Seats

Approximately 140,000 Likud party members are set to vote in the primaries on August 17, 2026, to determine the party's Knesset list for the upcoming elections. More than 120 candidates are vying for a realistic spot on the list, but with only a limited number of seats available, most will be left out. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reserved eight spots on the list for himself, and with Defense Minister Israel Katz withdrawing from the race, another seat is removed from the pool of contenders.

Currently, Likud holds 32 seats in the 26th Knesset, but recent polls predict a reduction to between 22 and 24 seats. According to a recent survey by Manu Geva, Likud is expected to secure 22 mandates, meaning only 14 of the 41 incumbent MKs and ministers are likely to retain realistic positions on the list. Three sitting MKs have already decided not to run, leaving 38 incumbents competing for those 14 spots.

The primaries are described as a fierce contest, with candidates relying heavily on social media and personal endorsements to gain support. Notably, Netanyahu has maintained near-complete silence on the list formation, stating he will not interfere in the national list and encouraging party members to vote wisely. Even close associates like Miri Regev have struggled to gain visible backing from Netanyahu, resorting to using old photos for promotion.

Netanyahu commented, "I will vote tomorrow in the Likud primaries for a winning list. I trust you, Likud members, to choose your representatives wisely. I do not intervene in the national list and wish everyone success." The primaries mark a critical moment for Likud as it prepares for a potentially reduced presence in the next Knesset.