Likud MK Tally Gottlieb Accuses Netanyahu’s Circle of Undermining Her After Primary Success

Following the preliminary results of the Likud primaries indicating she secured a realistic spot on the party list for the upcoming Knesset elections, MK Tally Gottlieb publicly accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s inner circle of attempting to weaken her candidacy. Gottlieb claimed that organized voting blocs were instructed not to support her, and that she was the only candidate not to receive a message of encouragement from Netanyahu himself. Despite these alleged efforts, she thanked her supporters and emphasized their strong backing.

Gottlieb also issued a warning against any attempts by Netanyahu’s advisers to steer the Likud party toward the political center or to cooperate with former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot. She vowed to oppose such moves, even if it meant facing restrictions on media appearances. She concluded her statement with a quote from Ze’ev Jabotinsky, underscoring her nationalist stance.

This confrontation follows a period of internal party struggle over the method of selecting the Likud list, with Gottlieb opposing the use of a selection committee and advocating for open primaries as a democratic principle. Earlier reports suggested Netanyahu sought to place her lower on the list through a selection committee, but Gottlieb denied these claims and said Netanyahu had promised her a high spot if primaries were canceled. Her recent remarks mark a shift toward a more critical stance toward Netanyahu’s decisions, despite previous assertions that he valued her counsel.

The Likud primaries have seen significant drama, with some ministers expected to lose their seats and surprising results at the top of the list. Gottlieb’s statements highlight ongoing tensions within the party as it prepares for the 2026 elections.