Netanyahu allies reveal past coup attempt as PM fears internal Likud challenge

Senior Likud members have publicly disclosed previous attempts to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, naming Avigdor Lieberman as a figure who was positioned as a potential replacement within the party. The revelation comes as Netanyahu’s inner circle expresses growing concerns about internal party reorganisation following recent primary elections. According to the claims, there were coordinated efforts within Likud to install Lieberman in the party leadership, marking a significant internal power struggle within Israel’s ruling party. Lieberman, a veteran politician and former coalition partner, has a longstanding rivalry with Netanyahu spanning decades of Israeli politics. The disclosure suggests that tensions within Likud remain volatile, with Netanyahu apparently concerned about fresh attempts to challenge his leadership following the party’s internal ballot process. These internal disputes come at a critical time for Netanyahu’s government, as he continues to navigate coalition politics and domestic pressures. The timing of the revelations indicates that Netanyahu’s supporters are moving to neutralise potential challengers within the party by exposing past manoeuvres against the Prime Minister.

Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.