Eli Cohen Tops Likud Primaries as Surprises and Close Races Emerge

The Likud party primaries concluded early Tuesday morning at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv, with over 98% of ballots counted by 9:00 AM. Minister Eli Cohen emerged as the clear winner, leading by more than 3,000 votes. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana secured second place, narrowly surpassing Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who placed third on the national list. Minister Miri Regev was the highest-ranking woman in the party, followed by surprising newcomer MK Ofir Katz, who broke into the top five despite not holding a ministerial post.

Ofir Katz and Deputy Minister Almog Cohen symbolized a shift in Likud’s leadership, with Katz expected to appear around eighth place after reserved slots are factored in, and Almog Cohen entering the top ten despite launching his campaign just days before voting. Other top contenders included Education Minister Yoav Kish, Ministers Miki Zohar, Amichai Shikli, and Dudi Amsalem. MK Moshe Saada also achieved a notable result, leading the second tier of the list.

A significant upset was the fall of Minister Nir Barkat, a longtime senior figure, who found himself deep in the second tier and battling Ze’ev Elkin for the 16th spot, considered the last realistic safe position on the list. The competition remains tight, with small vote changes potentially determining who stays in the viable zone. Tali Gottlieb underperformed compared to expectations, finishing around 12th place, while a close contest continues between Minister Gila Gamliel and MK Eti Atiya for the third female slot, with Gamliel currently leading.

Several ministers face exclusion if results hold, including May Golan, Idit Silman, and Avi Dichter, alongside MKs Avichai Boaron, Hanoch Milwitsky, Keti Shitrit, Ariel Kallner, Sasson Guetta, Nissim Vaturi, and Shalom Danino. May Golan’s position is notable amid speculation that Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir might offer her a spot if she misses out in Likud.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secured key wins in regional contests, backing Shlomo Lerner in Dan, Erez Tadmor in Jerusalem, and Shuki Ohana in the Galilee. However, his preferred female newcomers, Osnat Zohar and Dr. Ruth Kabsa Abramson, lagged behind, with Keren Atias Bublil, supported by David Bitan, leading the race.

Approximately 75,177 Likud members voted, representing 53.5% turnout, lower than some senior party members expected given the intense competition for limited realistic list spots. Final list placements will be adjusted based on reserved slots and regional allocations, but the emerging top 25 includes Netanyahu, Cohen, Ohana, Levin, Regev, Katz, Kish, Zohar, Almog Cohen, Shikli, Amsalem, Saada, Gottlieb, Bitan, and Barkat among others.