Likud MK Tali Gottlieb Criticizes Netanyahu Over Reserved Seats for Primary Losers

Likud MK Tali Gottlieb sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shortly after securing the 12th spot on the party's list in this week's primaries. In a social media post, she condemned Netanyahu's plan to reserve spots on the list for candidates who failed in the primaries, specifically mentioning Avi Dichter, who did not succeed in the internal vote but is being considered for a reserved seat alongside Haim Katz, who was exempted from the primaries.

Gottlieb emphasized that the reserved slots approved by Likud members were intended to bring new people into the party list to strengthen it, not to reward those who lost in the primaries. She proposed an alternative approach: cancel the reserved spots meant for new candidates in the second tier and promote those who won in the primaries to those positions, pushing the reserved seats for unsuccessful candidates to the third tier to maintain fairness.

Additionally, Gottlieb criticized Netanyahu for not providing more opportunities to female MKs, warning against playing into the hands of the left with a campaign that sidelines women within Likud. Her post came amid internal party tensions following the primaries, where her 12th place finish was lower than expected, partly due to pressure from Netanyahu's circle to place her in the second tier to avoid potential loss of seats.

Following the primaries, Netanyahu held talks with top-ranking Likud members, including Eli Cohen, Amir Ohana, Yariv Levin, and Merav Cohen, the highest-ranked woman on the list, to unite efforts for the upcoming elections and secure a right-wing victory.