Netanyahu Undermines Likud Primaries to Secure Loyal List Ahead of Tough Elections

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has actively sought to disrupt the Likud party primaries held on the day of the report, aiming to prevent them from proceeding smoothly. He reportedly tried to cancel the primaries altogether, warning they could be called off if the security situation deteriorated, and demanded ten reserved slots on the party list to bypass the primaries. Netanyahu hoped that the approximately 140,000 registered Likud members would abstain from voting, as he believes he alone knows what the party needs and questions the necessity of the primaries.

Netanyahu expressed distrust and disdain for many current Likud candidates, especially those who criticized him following the October 7 massacre, accusing them of failing to warn or protect him and blaming security agencies and the judiciary instead. He favors sidelining these figures, who defended him publicly but whom he now wants out of the party list, aiming instead to recruit respected, establishment figures with strong records, though many such individuals have declined to join the current Likud.

The primaries are seen as a critical crossroads for Likud, which has shifted in recent years toward a more nationalist, extreme, and Haredi-influenced party. This shift has alienated about ten Knesset seats worth of voters since the November 2022 elections, partly due to dissatisfaction with the party’s tone and some candidates’ legal troubles. Netanyahu seeks to reverse this trend by reshaping the list, but faces resistance within the party and from prominent members like Tali Gottlieb and Mai Golan, whom his office reportedly tried to demote, citing internal polls suggesting their presence would cost seats.

Other notable figures under scrutiny include Nir Barkat, who was implicated in a failed post-October 7 coup attempt against Netanyahu, and Ze'ev Elkin, who returned to Likud after criticizing Netanyahu. Netanyahu is also battling internal opposition from MK David Bitan, who challenged his demand for reserved slots. The current Likud is described as a party dominated by loyalty to Netanyahu and his family, with little room for independent voices, marking a significant departure from the party’s historic legacy as a national-liberal movement.

The outcome of these primaries will shape Likud’s direction and Netanyahu’s prospects in the upcoming elections, which are expected to be among the toughest he has faced.