Thousands of Likud activists name Netanyahu rival in leaked party messages

Leaked WhatsApp conversations from a closed group of Likud Party activists have revealed widespread calls for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be challenged by a rival from within his own party. The private messages expose internal dissent following the 7 October attacks, with members of the party organisation discussing potential alternative candidates who could replace the long-serving premier. The discussions suggest growing frustration among grassroots Likud members over Netanyahu’s leadership in the aftermath of the major security breach that saw Hamas launch its devastating attack on Israel.

The leaked exchanges come as thousands of party officials have been canvassing support for their preferred candidates ahead of internal Likud primary elections. The primary process, which allows party members to select who will lead the party into future elections, represents a significant moment for the party’s direction. The conversations indicate that discontent over Netanyahu’s handling of events since 7 October has crystallised into concrete efforts to field alternative candidates rather than simply expressing frustration.

This internal party manoeuvring represents the most serious challenge to Netanyahu’s continued leadership of Likud in recent years. While Netanyahu has dominated Israeli politics for over a decade, the leaked messages suggest that significant sections of his own party apparatus may be willing to move against him. The timing of these discussions, coinciding with the primary candidate selection process, indicates that any challenge would likely materialise through official party channels rather than through external political opposition.

Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.