Energy Minister Eli Cohen Tops Likud Primaries as Netanyahu Shapes Party List

The Likud party completed its primary vote count on Tuesday morning, with Energy Minister Eli Cohen securing the top spot. Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana followed behind him. MK Tali Gottlieb ranked 20th on the party list, while ministers Idit Silman and Avi Dichter, along with MK Nissim Vaturi, failed to secure realistic positions.

The weighted Likud list includes reserved slots for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several ministers, including Israel Katz, Gideon Sa'ar, and others. Notably, some prominent figures such as MK Mai Golan, Avi Dichter, Hanoch Milwitsky, Ariel Kallner, Sasson Guetta, Shalom Danino, and Nissim Vaturi were pushed out of the realistic list.

Ahead of the primaries, Netanyahu conducted intensive phone and in-person meetings with party members and activists, urging support for five specific candidates he favored, while also suggesting additional names. Reports emerged that Netanyahu’s circle plans to "cleanse" the party of ultra-Orthodox members who are not loyal supporters, echoing previous campaigns against "new Likudniks." This move follows cooperation between the ultra-Orthodox Likud faction and MK David Bitan during the primaries, which Netanyahu had tacitly allowed until now.

The plan includes identifying and potentially disqualifying entire groups of members who supported other parties or are deemed not genuine Likud voters. Last week, two Likud MKs reportedly considered withdrawing from the primaries in protest over reserved slots Netanyahu granted to ministers Israel Katz, Haim Katz, and Gideon Sa'ar.

These developments highlight Netanyahu’s efforts to consolidate control over the party and prevent the rise of factions solely loyal to him, aiming to maintain a balanced and loyal Likud parliamentary bloc.