Netanyahu Secures Loyal Likud List While Nir Barkat Faces Political Setback

Following a tense and emotional day of primaries, the Likud party finalized its candidate list for the upcoming Knesset elections. In the 'Iron Dome' panel hosted by Netanel Izak, analysts including Aryeh Yoeli, Yishai Cohen, strategic advisor Avi Widerman, and retired Lt. Col. Shmulik Barzilai discussed the implications of the new list. The clear winners were those loyal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Eli Cohen emerging as the top candidate, signaling his ambition for a senior ministerial role. Yoeli emphasized that Netanyahu is the biggest winner, having secured a list he can confidently run with. Widerman highlighted Motty Babchik's influence behind the scenes, noting Likud's growing status as Israel's largest Haredi party.

The panel noted Netanyahu’s success in creating a strong bloc of nine candidates, including Eli Cohen, Amir Ohana, Yoav Kisch, and Miri Regev, who gained significant support from organized labor unions, distancing themselves from other contenders. Yishai Cohen praised Eli Cohen’s clean campaign style and focus on achievements, contrasting it with other candidates’ confrontational tactics. Netanyahu expressed satisfaction with the primary results.

Among the losers, Nir Barkat was singled out as the major political casualty. Once considered a leading contender to replace Netanyahu, Barkat finished in a marginal position. Cohen described Netanyahu’s strategy against Barkat as a "time bomb" designed to politically neutralize him. Barzilai lamented the ideological loss, noting that the list strays from the liberal vision of the party’s founders, Ze’ev Jabotinsky and Menachem Begin. Other notable figures pushed down the list included Idith Silman, Ze’ev Elkin, and Mirri Golan. Yoeli added that external candidates like Gilad Erdan, Gideon Sa’ar, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yuli Edelstein were also disappointed by the list’s composition.

A contentious topic was the underrepresentation of women and national religious (serugim) members. Barzilai pointed out that only two women appear in the top 20 spots and no reservists from recent military service were included, raising concerns about the party’s demographic balance. Cohen suggested waiting for Netanyahu’s reserved slots to be filled and noted the limitations for Knesset members to officially serve in reserves.

The panel debated the growing influence of Haredi commanders within Likud. Cohen criticized this as a political deception aimed at undermining Netanyahu, while Widerman and Yoeli viewed it as a natural demographic shift strengthening Likud’s conservative base. Looking ahead, the panel predicted that the official announcement of Ofer Winter’s new party would shake up the political landscape, potentially reshuffling the center and affecting figures like Yoaz Hendel and Bezalel Smotrich. Barzilai expressed hope that the primaries would bolster the authentic Zionist right.

Summary: After intense primaries, Netanyahu secured a loyal Likud list with Eli Cohen leading, while Nir Barkat suffered a major political defeat. The list reflects growing Haredi influence and underrepresentation of women and reservists. Analysts anticipate Ofer Winter’s new party announcement will disrupt the political scene.