Five things you need to know about the Likud primary battle

With 31 sitting ministers and MPs competing for just 17 realistic spots on the party list, tensions within Israel’s ruling Likud party are reaching fever pitch ahead of its primary election. The competition has become particularly fierce because only three of the eight current female MPs are expected to retain their positions, whilst political newcomer Tali Gotlieb is forecast to leap from 25th place to near the top of the rankings. With party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu yet to declare his full slate of endorsements, every vote is expected to be bitterly contested, and the informal “hit lists” of political rivals have already been drawn up.

The primary represents a critical juncture for the Likud as it seeks to consolidate power following recent elections. The stark mathematics of the selection process—with far more sitting parliamentarians than available spots—means that several established figures will inevitably lose their places. This has created an unusually acrimonious atmosphere within a party traditionally known for internal discipline and hierarchy. The involvement of so many serving government ministers in the competition has also raised questions about campaign activities during their official duties.

The gender disparity in the primary results is particularly notable. With most of the sitting female MPs facing elimination, there are concerns about female representation within the party’s leadership and parliamentary delegation. Gotlieb’s unexpected rise through the rankings has surprised many observers and suggests significant grassroots support for fresh faces within the party.

Netanyahu’s carefully calculated endorsements will likely prove decisive in determining which candidates advance and which fall away. His silence on key endorsements has left many candidates in limbo, unable to plan their campaigns effectively. The prime minister’s strategy of withholding full backing from his preferred candidates until the last moment has become a characteristic feature of his political management style.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.