Netanyahu tightens grip on Likud candidate list ahead of next Knesset election

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday was granted the authority to select candidates for eight reserved slots on the Likud party’s list ahead of the next Knesset election.

The decision was approved by the Likud Constitution Committee, chaired by Knesset Member Haim Katz, which also authorized Netanyahu to suspend the party primary process in the event of a “wartime situation.”

The committee’s decisions give Netanyahu massive influence over the composition of the Likud candidate list, particularly as, according to current polls, the number of Knesset members is set to shrink significantly.

Netanyahu now has the authority to place his own hand-picked candidates in these eight slots, and the 4,500-member Likud Central Committee will have no authority to interfere. The prime minister has argued that this would enable him to "optimize" the list for the coming elections, indicating his dissatisfaction with the lawmakers placed in high positions by the last primary elections.

The possibility of postponing a primary was approved as Israel remains engaged in ongoing security tensions, including heightened military activity involving Iran and continued IDF readiness for possible renewed hostilities.

Netanyahu reportedly told committee members that he is “in favor of a primary,” but that “there is a possibility that we could find ourselves in an exceptional security situation that would make it difficult to hold campaign events. It could fall on the day of the vote or beforehand, and that would make voting difficult.”

Netanyahu’s move has faced strong opposition within Likud. Knesset Member David Bitan criticized the decision, saying that Katz was attempting to “create a faction within a faction.” Bitan also argued that measures introduced specifically for Netanyahu could remain in place after a future party leader takes over, saying, “Today, we vote because of Netanyahu; tomorrow someone new will come and receive those reserved spots.”

Several Likud MKs and party officials have resigned in recent weeks, citing disagreements with decisions made by Netanyahu and legislation passed during the final days of the outgoing Knesset. The legislation included measures sought by the ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) parties Shas and United Torah Judaism, some of which faced opposition among Likud supporters. In addition, some Likud officials criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the legislation, arguing that he supported the measures out of concern that the Haredi parties could withhold their support from a future coalition government after the elections.

However, the moves come amid declining support for Likud in public opinion polls, as well as surveys indicating that a significant share of Israelis believe Netanyahu should step aside, with his age cited among the factors influencing their views.

“Bibi seems to think he’s going to live forever,” lamented Idan Menkowitz, a Jerusalem resident who told ALL ISRAEL NEWS that he voted for Likud in every election since he was old enough to vote, but voted for a different party in the last election in 2022.

“I remember the trauma of suddenly losing Arik,” he continued, referring to Ariel Sharon, who suffered a massive stroke while serving as prime minister on Jan 4, 2006. “I wonder what it’ll be like this time.”

Israeli voters are scheduled to go to the polls on Oct. 27.