Likud Minister Miri Regev Predicts 35 Seats in Upcoming Primaries Amid Internal Party Tensions

As the Likud party prepares to open its primaries for 133,000 members to select candidates nationwide, Minister Miri Regev spoke out on Radio 103 about internal conflicts and her election prospects. Regev claimed she is facing attempts to undermine her, citing a list distributed by El Al employees urging members not to vote for her. She accused El Al's union and management of trying to pressure her due to her plans to introduce low-cost airlines like Wizz Air to Israel, aiming to break the monopoly on high flight prices.

Regev emphasized that the El Al union should accept that Wizz Air's presence benefits Israeli citizens and expressed confidence that most Likud members support her efforts. She also criticized Gadi Eizenkot, leader of the Yisrael Party, questioning his leadership abilities and accusing him of relying on controversial alliances with the Muslim Brotherhood and the Democratic Party, whose leader has made inflammatory remarks about IDF soldiers.

Surprisingly, Regev forecasted that Likud would secure 35 Knesset seats in the upcoming elections. She acknowledged a significant failure in passing the military conscription law but expressed hope it would be resolved in the next term, supporting continued Torah study for those eligible and stricter enforcement against draft evaders.