Likud Faces Internal Crisis as Primaries Highlight Business Over Ideology
In August 2026, Israel's Ben Gurion Airport experienced a near shutdown during one of the busiest travel days of the year, disrupting flights and affecting approximately 100,000 passengers, with economic damages estimated at 25 to 30 million shekels. The airport workers' union chairman, Pinchas Idan, was at the center of the crisis, blamed by airport management and transportation officials for the chaos, though he cited a longstanding staffing shortage. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded sharply, and the Likud party moved to expel Idan from its ranks.
However, the deeper issue highlighted by this turmoil is within the Likud party itself, particularly following its recent primaries. The primaries, expected to signal renewal and a shift toward more ideologically driven leadership, instead revealed a dominance of political deal-making and business interests over professional and ideological commitment. Key figures who had been vocal on critical issues, such as MK Amit Halevi, who advocated for a clear stance on the war and accountability after the October 7 events, were pushed down the list, with Halevi landing in 19th place.
Other notable losses for the party included Ariel Kallner (26th place), a prominent advocate for a state commission investigating the October 7 failures, and Hanoch Melavitzky (22nd place), a diligent parliamentarian and finance committee chair. Conversely, political operators like David Bitan secured higher positions, exemplifying the triumph of internal party business over renewal. Transportation Minister Miri Regev also ranked highly despite recent failures in managing infrastructure and airport chaos.
Yariv Levin, a key figure behind the controversial judicial reforms, retained a strong position (third place) despite the reforms' failure to achieve their goals, raising questions about leadership effectiveness. Amid these disappointments, Almog Cohen, who embodies a new generation of assertive, patriotic leadership focused on work rather than patronage, emerged as a hopeful sign, securing eighth place.
The article argues that while Netanyahu's allies appear strong, the overall list is not a victory but a call for introspection. The Likud must prioritize professional competence and ideology over factional deals and loyalty to individuals to regain public trust. Failure to do so could result in significant electoral losses, not necessarily due to opposition strength but because of internal weaknesses. The party must overcome its internal business politics to truly win in the upcoming elections and serve the country effectively.
