Netanyahu Nears Deal to Secure Knesset Seats for Boncel and Barashi in Likud List

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to reserve Knesset list positions for attorney and media personality Kinneret Barashi and lawyer Itzik Boncel, father of fallen soldier Amit Boncel, within the Likud party for the upcoming elections. A Likud source told Srugim on Wednesday that their names are currently on Netanyahu's desk and negotiations are at an advanced stage, though no final decision has been made yet.

Both Barashi and Boncel have been mentioned in recent months as potential candidates for reserved spots on the Likud list, with the possibility of securing both becoming more realistic following the party primaries. Barashi has gained popularity among segments of the Likud base, notably for her public and media opposition to Netanyahu's legal cases and coverage of his trial on the "Open Studio" program. Boncel, who has become a prominent voice among bereaved right-wing families since his son's death in Gaza, has a longstanding acquaintance with Netanyahu, who consults with him regularly.

The Likud source emphasized that until negotiations conclude and Netanyahu makes an official decision, changes in the identities and placements of reserved candidates remain possible. Requests for comment were sent to Boncel, Barashi, and the Likud party but no responses were received by publication time.