Netanyahu Shapes Likud Primaries to Secure Loyal Candidates and Moderate Appeal

In the recent Likud primaries, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strategically managed candidate rankings to balance loyalty and electoral appeal. Netanyahu targeted two main groups: candidates deemed non-electoral, such as Idit Silman, May Golan, and Hanoch Milwitsky, who were perceived as potentially alienating moderate voters, and those considered disloyal, including David Bitan and Nir Barkat. While Bitan is expected to enter the next Knesset in a low position, Barkat’s fate depends on Netanyahu’s discretion to possibly exclude him entirely.

Tali Gottlieb, viewed as both personally untrusted by Netanyahu and potentially off-putting to voters due to her style, was relegated to the 20th spot, signaling she is unlikely to become a minister even if Likud forms the next government. Despite Netanyahu’s influence, he faced setbacks, such as Avi Dichter not securing a realistic spot and losing the "new woman" candidate slot to a Barkat-backed contender, highlighting internal challenges from the party’s "ultra-Orthodox commander" faction.

It is important to note that the primaries determined only about 60% of the Likud list for the upcoming Knesset. Netanyahu retains control over the remaining 40% through reserved slots, which he plans to allocate to loyalists who struggled in the primaries and to figures intended to enhance the party’s public image. This approach underscores Netanyahu’s calculated effort to maintain party cohesion while appealing to a broader electorate ahead of the general elections.