Recount in Be'er Ya'akov May Oust Minister Gila Gamliel from Likud List for 2026

A vote recount at a polling station in Be'er Ya'akov threatens to displace Minister Gila Gamliel from the Likud party list ahead of the 2026 elections, potentially elevating MK Eti Atiya, backed by Minister Haim Katz, to the 25th spot. The recount was initiated following allegations of irregularities and typing errors during the party primaries, which were reviewed by the election committee. According to sources close to Katz, the updated count shows Atiya surpassing Gamliel, placing Atiya in the realistic 25th position while pushing Gamliel down to an unrealistic 35th place.

Gamliel's team strongly rejects the new results, telling Ynet it is "more plausible that the ballot box, which disappeared for eight days, was tampered with than that ten observers present during the count missed 400 votes." The minister has filed an injunction against the new results, arguing the ballot box was reopened without allowing time for appeals. Amid the tension, Gamliel's husband was reportedly denied entry to the Rashaf security headquarters in Holon, where the recount took place, shouting accusations of election theft.