Likud MK Eliyahu Revivo Withdraws from Primaries Citing Party's Reservation System

Eliyahu Revivo, a member of the Knesset from the Likud party, announced on Thursday that he will not run in the upcoming Likud primaries. In a statement released on his behalf, Revivo criticized the party's election method and reserved spots system, saying it makes it very difficult for current Knesset members to secure a realistic position on the candidate list. He expressed disappointment with the party's internal conduct, emphasizing his belief in being right-wing, ideological, and determined while remaining moderate, institutional, and pragmatic. Revivo highlighted that this approach reflects the true path of Likud, inspired by founders Jabotinsky and Begin, which involves standing firm on principles without turning opponents into enemies.

Revivo also noted that politics has never been an end in itself for him but a means to serve a mission. He stressed that the Knesset should not be a battleground but a place where Israeli democracy thrives fully. His announcement coincided with Dan Illouz's departure from Likud to join Yisrael Beiteinu and the appointment of Shabtai Katesh to Illouz's former position in the Knesset. Revivo acknowledged the difficulty of his decision but insisted on honesty about the challenges posed by the party's current electoral system.