Netanyahu Grants Political Shield Only to Avi Dichter After Likud Primaries

Following the recent Likud primaries, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted consultations to finalize the party's Knesset list and decide on protected slots, known as "shields." According to reports from Channel 12, only Minister Avi Dichter is expected to receive such a shield, securing a spot around 15th or 18th place on the list. Despite considering several prominent MKs and ministers who were pushed down in the primaries, Netanyahu decided against elevating any besides Dichter.

Names discussed but ultimately not granted shields include MKs and ministers such as May Golan, Idit Silman, Hanoch Milwitsky, Keti Shitrit, and Ariel Kallner. To ease frustration among those who lost ground, Netanyahu and his associates have promised to expand the Norwegian Law framework if he forms the next government. This would allow candidates placed as low as 40th on the list to enter the Knesset if Likud wins 30 seats, a scenario currently uncertain given Likud's polling below that threshold.

Several ministers and MKs were notably excluded from protected positions. Ministers who lost their spots include Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter (who is the exception), Finance Ministry Minister Ze'ev Elkin, Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman, and Social Equality Minister May Golan. Economy Minister Nir Barkat placed 24th, with a political scenario considered to push him down to 32nd. Prominent MKs left out include Nissim Vaturi, Hanoch Milwitsky, Amit Halevi, Keti Shitrit, Ariel Kallner, Shalom Danino, Eli Dellal, Eti Atiya, Osher Shkalim, Sasson Guetta, and Avichai Boaron. Some MKs had already announced they would not run in the primaries, including Galit Distel Atbaryan, Tzaga Malko, Moshe Pasal, and Eliyahu Revivo.

Netanyahu's decisions reflect a strategic effort to manage internal party tensions after the primaries, balancing political realities with promises to maintain unity and future opportunities for those displaced.