Former Minister Limor Livnat Criticizes New Hardline Direction of Likud After Primaries

As the vote count progresses in the Likud party primaries, former minister Limor Livnat sharply criticized the current state of the party, directly blaming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Livnat described the new Likud as more extreme, ultra-Orthodox, and aligned with Kahanist elements. She pointed to the rise of figures like Almog Cohen from Itamar Ben-Gvir's Kahanist faction, who surged ahead of veteran ministers and Knesset members, calling it a takeover by foreign elements within Likud.

Livnat also predicted further political shifts, suggesting that former Otzma Yehudit member Mai Golan will be included on Ben-Gvir's list. Golan herself has stated that Likud and Kahanism are essentially the same today. Livnat concluded that this transformation of Likud is the result of Netanyahu's leadership.

The comments reflect growing tensions within the party as the primaries reveal a shift toward more right-wing, religious, and nationalist factions, signaling potential realignments ahead of the upcoming elections.