Netanyahu Feared Free Members’ Influence, Avoided Digital Voting in Likud Primaries
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Amit Segal analyzed Likud’s primary turnout, suggesting Netanyahu avoided digital voting due to fears of free members’ influence and cyberattacks. Digital voting could increase participation and weaken factional power, but Netanyahu prioritized control over the party list. Independent members like Tali Gottlieb benefit from this system, while faction leaders maintain influence through internal deals.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu avoided digital voting fearing cyberattacks and free members’ influence in Likud primaries.
- Manual voting turnout is 50-55%, while digital voting can exceed 85%, as seen in US Democratic primaries.
- Higher turnout threatens factional power held by groups linked to David Bitan and Haim Katz.
- Free members like Tali Gottlieb gain support outside factional deals, worrying Netanyahu.
- Netanyahu secured faction candidates in exchange for Katz’s protected list spot.
- Digital voting could have added hundreds of thousands of independent voters, improving candidate quality.
Political analyst Amit Segal examined the turnout in the Likud party primaries and suggested that one reason the party has not adopted digital voting is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s concern over the influence of free members. Segal noted that manual voting in primaries typically yields a turnout of 50% to 55%, while digital voting can significantly increase participation, citing Democratic Party primaries with turnout rates exceeding 85%. Netanyahu reportedly feared cyberattacks on a digital voting system, including foreign interference aimed at disrupting the party list. However, after the 2022 elections, he became convinced the system could be secure.
Segal explained that higher turnout through digital voting could weaken the power of organized factions within Likud, such as those aligned with David Bitan and Haim Katz, whose influence depends on controlling vote contractors and internal deals. He speculated that Netanyahu’s main concern this time was free members, who are not part of these deals but can sway results. As an example, Segal pointed to Knesset member Tali Gottlieb, who, despite not being included in factional agreements, enjoys support among independent members.
In exchange for Katz’s protected spot on the list, Netanyahu secured candidates from his faction on the recommended list of the Israel Aerospace Industries. Segal concluded that opening the party to digital voting could have brought hundreds of thousands of new voters who prefer independence from factional deals, potentially resulting in a much stronger candidate slate than the one expected to be chosen in the current primaries.
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