Netanyahu Allies Express Strong Satisfaction With Likud Primaries Despite Some Setbacks
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Benjamin Netanyahu's allies expressed strong satisfaction with the Likud primaries results despite some setbacks, including key candidates missing the list. Four candidates endorsed by Netanyahu won decisively, and new faces aligned with him rose in the ranks. Traditional political deals weakened, and longtime figures like David Bitan barely made the list.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu's four publicly endorsed candidates won decisively in the Likud primaries.
- Tali Gottlieb ranked lower than expected, and Mai Golan did not make the list.
- Traditional political deals weakened, benefiting free voters and new candidates.
- David Bitan barely secured a low spot and failed to elect his preferred candidates.
- New younger faces aligned with Netanyahu entered the top ranks.
- The final list is seen as balanced and stronger than media predicted.
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.
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