Netanyahu Allies Express Strong Satisfaction With Likud Primaries Despite Some Setbacks

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's close associates have expressed significant satisfaction with the results of the Likud party primaries for the 2026 elections, despite Netanyahu not fully achieving all his goals. According to a senior source close to Netanyahu, contrary to early predictions, candidate Tali Gottlieb only reached the second tier of the list and is expected to be placed in the third tier due to reserved slots, while Mai Golan did not make the list at all.

Netanyahu's team highlighted the success of the four candidates he publicly endorsed, Almog, Lerner, Tadmor, and Shuki Ohana, all of whom won decisively. They also noted a weakening of traditional political deals in favor of free voters, citing that Gila Gamliel only secured a spot due to gender representation quotas. Additionally, longtime party figures like MK David Bitan struggled; Bitan barely secured a place around 23rd or 24th on the list and failed to get his preferred candidates Sasson Guetta and Shalom Danino elected. Similarly, Haim Katz was unsuccessful in promoting Eti Atiya.

The primaries also saw a renewal of younger and new faces aligned with Netanyahu, including Ofir Katz, Amichai Shikli, Asher Almog, and Moshe Saada, entering the top ranks. Netanyahu's circle described the final list as balanced, refreshed, and much stronger than media portrayals suggested, anticipating it to be the most attractive list for the upcoming elections once reserved slots are finalized.