Netanyahu Avoids Creating a Party Dominated by Loyal 'Bibi' Supporters in Likud Primaries

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is actively reshaping the Likud party list to avoid it becoming dominated solely by staunch 'Bibi' loyalists, known as 'Bibi-ists.' While these loyalists, who would vote for Netanyahu under any circumstances, constitute a majority among Likud members and about 15 Knesset seats on a good day, Netanyahu recognizes that relying exclusively on them could limit the party's broader electoral appeal and risk losing power.

To counter this, Netanyahu has intervened in the primaries by reserving ten slots on the party list and supporting more moderate, independent candidates. This strategy aims to attract a shrinking segment of voters who accept the party's leadership and membership as 'Bibi-ists' but prefer a more balanced list that includes representation for those outside this core group.

This approach is not without drawbacks, as the ideological shift within Likud under Netanyahu has coincided with increased polarization. The moderate candidates Netanyahu endorses are considered the least extreme within the party. The internal dynamics are highlighted by recent claims from Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir that eight Likud members have sought to join his Otzma Yehudit party list, possibly fearing failure in the Likud primaries. This raises questions among voters about the distinctions between the parties and the evolving identity of Likud under Netanyahu's leadership.