Nir Barkat Faces Lingering Distrust in Likud Ahead of Primaries

Nir Barkat, a former Jerusalem mayor and successful businessman, is struggling to fully integrate into the Likud party despite his credentials and significant investment in grassroots support. Although he embodies a right-wing economic worldview and has a strong business background, many within Likud still view him as an outsider, partly due to his past association with the Kadima party, which continues to cast a shadow over his political standing.

Barkat’s main challenge is not his own confidence but the party’s skepticism toward him. Likud’s leadership has historically been wary of newcomers perceived as jumping the queue, and Barkat’s cosmopolitan image and perceived alternative ambitions fuel doubts about his loyalty. Despite his efforts to assimilate by attending numerous party events and adopting Likud’s rhetoric, suspicion remains among core members.

Recent reports of alleged attempts by Barkat to orchestrate a "putsch" against Prime Minister Netanyahu after the October 7 events have intensified mistrust, even though Barkat denies these claims. Netanyahu loyalists interpret these reports as confirmation that Barkat is waiting for an opportunity to seize leadership for personal ambition rather than genuine commitment to the party’s cause.

As the Likud primaries approach, Barkat faces a critical test: convincing party members that he is truly "one of them" rather than a temporary guest. His campaign’s success will depend less on financial resources or policy proposals and more on overcoming the entrenched perception of him as an outsider. For now, the burden of proof remains firmly on Barkat to earn full acceptance within Likud.