Over 14,000 Likud Members Vote Amid Fears Netanyahu Allies May Be Ousted in Primaries

On Monday, approximately 140,000 registered Likud members across Israel began voting in the party's primaries to determine the candidate list for the upcoming Knesset elections. By the latest update, over 14,300 members had cast their ballots, surpassing the turnout at the same point in the 2022 primaries. Voting is taking place nationwide from Eilat to Kiryat Shmona and will continue until 9 p.m., with initial results expected around 11 p.m. and official tallies on Tuesday.

Inside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, concerns have arisen over deals made during the primaries that could push out loyal Netanyahu-aligned MKs such as Boaz Bismuth and Amichai Shikli from the party list. Netanyahu retains the authority to reserve eight slots on the list, including positions 3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 18, 26, and 29, plus a reserved spot for Defense Minister Israel Katz. While Netanyahu has not released a full endorsement list, he officially supports MK Almog Cohen and candidates Erez Tadmor and attorney Shlomo Lerner. He also endorsed Osnat Zohar for the new women's slot, praising her longstanding work for the party.

Meanwhile, MK Tali Gottlieb accused some polling stations of using fraudulent ballots that omit her name, urging voters to remain vigilant. Her name has been a focal point amid reports that Netanyahu convened a political meeting over alleged talks between Gottlieb and Minister May Golan about joining Itamar Ben-Gvir's party. Netanyahu reportedly found the information "disturbing" but chose not to intervene in the primaries. Efforts were also made to remove Gottlieb from recommendation lists.

In a last-minute development, Yehonatan Yosef, grandson of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and former Jerusalem city council member, withdrew from the Jerusalem district race and endorsed attorney Yair Gabay, citing Gabay's experience and commitment to the people and Torah. As voting commenced, candidates intensified their campaigns, sharing personal messages and family photos to rally support. The primaries will determine if the Likud list undergoes the significant reshuffle feared by some veteran members and ministers ahead of the 2026 elections.