Likud fury as Netanyahu demands guaranteed seats ahead of party primary

Senior Likud figures are expressing fury over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demands for guaranteed positions on the party’s Knesset candidate list, claiming the move effectively undermines the legitimacy of the primary elections process. Netanyahu is reportedly insisting on five protected seats in the top ten positions, three in the second ten, and two in the third ten – a level of control that party insiders fear will relegate them to significantly lower positions on the list and reduce their chances of election to parliament.

The guarantees being sought by the prime minister have sparked outrage among Likud’s senior members, who view the reserved seats as an attempt to circumvent the democratic primary voting process. Party officials argue that such widespread protection of positions fundamentally distorts the purpose of holding party elections at all, turning what should be a competitive primary into a controlled allocation of seats.

Tensions have escalated further after Netanyahu postponed the party meeting that was scheduled to determine the election method for a third time, fuelling accusations that he is deliberately stalling proceedings. According to sources within Likud, the prime minister’s strategy appears aimed at dragging out the process indefinitely, with the ultimate goal of preventing primary elections from taking place altogether. “Netanyahu wants to buy time so that in the end primaries won’t happen at all,” one senior party figure claimed.

The dispute reflects deeper tensions within Israel’s ruling coalition, with party members questioning whether Netanyahu’s control over the candidate selection process will further consolidate his grip on the party or trigger a broader challenge to his leadership from within Likud’s ranks.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.