Right-Wing Activist Hadar Muchtar Withdraws From Likud Primaries After Netanyahu Denies Petition

Hadar Muchtar, a prominent right-wing activist and social media figure, has decided to step back from the Likud party primaries after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to grant her a petition shortening (pazam) that would have allowed her to run. Over the past year, Muchtar worked hard to gain favor with Netanyahu and Likud members to secure a seat in the Knesset. Despite her efforts, including extensive campaigning, Netanyahu’s decision not to shorten her pazam left her unable to participate in the primaries held on Monday.

Muchtar’s spokesperson and advisor expressed deep disappointment over the decision, stating that in a fair democratic process, Muchtar would have been the ideal candidate to interview on the day of the Likud primaries. He described her reaction as if "her world fell apart." According to him, Muchtar had been confident she would receive the petition shortening but was ultimately denied, leading her to leave Israel and travel to Georgia to avoid witnessing the primaries without her participation.

The spokesperson also accused other Likud candidates, including Knesset members and ministers, of orchestrating a campaign of defamation and jealousy, particularly highlighting intra-party female rivalry as a damaging factor. He hinted at additional undisclosed efforts to block her candidacy. Muchtar’s inability to run stems from her recent party membership, which requires a petition shortening from the prime minister to be eligible. Despite multiple appeals, Netanyahu declined to grant this exception, effectively ending her bid for a parliamentary seat this cycle.