Young Tel Aviv High-Tech Workers Secretly Join Likud Ahead of Primaries

Journalist Avraham Hasson discussed the phenomenon of so-called "forced" Likud members in a recent interview on the Ricklin and Shvut program. He explained that many young people in Tel Aviv are registering with the Likud party but prefer to keep their affiliation private. Hasson reported that during his visit to a polling station in Tel Aviv, numerous young high-tech professionals admitted they did not want others to know they were joining Likud or participating in the party primaries.

Hasson emphasized that this group of new Likud members is diverse, including Ashkenazi and Mizrahi voters, as well as both older and younger individuals. He noted that unlike other media portrayals that depict Likud members mainly as working-class individuals, the reality includes many young professionals from the tech sector in central Israel. Hasson interviewed about 140,000 Likud members on the day and aimed to shed light on this broader demographic.

The term "forced" or "coerced" members is not just a headline but reflects a genuine trend where young voters feel compelled to conceal their political choices. This development is significant ahead of the 2026 elections and the Likud primaries, highlighting a shift in the party's base and the political dynamics within Tel Aviv and the wider region.