Netanyahu Grants Political Shield Only to Avi Dichter After Likud Primaries

Following the recent Likud primaries, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations to finalize the party's Knesset list and decide on protected slots, known as "shielding." According to reports from Channel 12, only Minister Avi Dichter is expected to receive a protected position, moving up to slot 15 or 18 on the list. Several other prominent ministers and Knesset members who were disappointed by their primary results were considered but ultimately not granted such protection by Netanyahu.

Among those considered but not shielded were MKs and ministers including May Golan, Idit Silman, Hanoch Milwitsky, Keti Shitrit, and Ariel Kallner. Despite efforts to calm frustrations among those pushed down the list, Netanyahu and his associates promised that if he forms the next government, an expanded version of the Norwegian Law would be implemented. This would allow candidates placed as low as 40th on the list to enter the Knesset if Likud secures 30 seats.

However, this promise faces significant political challenges, as Netanyahu is currently far from reaching the 30-mandate threshold needed to form a government. Notable ministers who lost their spots include Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter, Finance Ministry Minister Zeev Elkin, Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman, and Social Equality Minister May Golan. Economy Minister Nir Barkat ranked 24th, with political scenarios suggesting he might be pushed down to 32nd place.

Other prominent MKs excluded from the list include Nissim Vaturi, Hanoch Milwitsky, Amit Halevi, Keti Shitrit, Ariel Kallner, Shalom Danino, Eli Dellal, Eti Atiya, Osher Shkalim, Sasson Guetta, and Avichai Boaron. Additionally, some MKs such as Galit Distel-Atbaryan, Tzvi Malka, Moshe Fassel, and Eliyahu Revivo had already announced they would not run in the primaries.