Likud Begins Primaries With Major Shakeup Expected in Party List

The Likud party has commenced its primary elections, marking the first such contest in four years, with over 140,000 registered members eligible to vote. The primaries, which opened at 10:00 AM and will close at 9:00 PM on Monday, are expected to bring significant changes to the party's Knesset list ahead of the 2026 general elections. Several veteran ministers and long-serving members face the real possibility of losing their seats, signaling a dramatic reshuffle within the faction.

Amid the crowded national list, some Knesset members have already announced their withdrawal from the race, including Eliyahu Revivo, Tzaga Malka, and Moshe Pasal, while others like Yuli Edelstein and Dan Illouz have joined different parties. Meanwhile, former ministers Gideon Sa'ar and Ze'ev Elkin are returning to compete within Likud, with Sa'ar securing a reserved spot and Elkin confirmed as a candidate. Ministers Israel Katz and Haim Katz have opted out of the primaries after negotiating guaranteed placements on the list.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refrained from issuing broad endorsements but officially supported Knesset member Almog Cohen and several regional candidates such as Erez Tadmor and attorney Shlomo Lerner. Netanyahu has reserved the authority to allocate eight protected slots on the list, including a last-minute reserved spot for Defense Minister Israel Katz.

Political analysts suggest that traditional political deals, which previously shaped the party list, have weakened, increasing the influence of independent voters. Preliminary results from the primaries are expected around 11:00 PM Monday night, with a clearer picture emerging by Tuesday morning. Official results will be published on Tuesday afternoon or evening, setting the stage for Likud's candidate lineup in the upcoming national elections.