Full Breakdown
Likud’s Reserved-Slot Vote Triggers Court Block and Internal Rift
8/11/2026, 9:17:55 PM
Reserved-Slot Vote and Court Intervention
On Tuesday the Likud secretariat began voting on whether to approve three “reserved slots” on the party’s Knesset list for ministers selected by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The proposed slots were for Defence Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Likud Central Committee chairman Haim Katz. While the vote proceeded, the party’s top internal court issued an interim order freezing the reservation for Haim Katz, noting that he had already registered for the August 17 primaries and started campaigning. The court warned that approving the slot could force him to halt his campaign, only to be forced back into the race if the decision were later reversed.
Background on Likud’s Primary System
Likud members traditionally vote in primaries, with over 100,000 registered members eligible to choose the party’s national list. In recent weeks Netanyahu secured the authority to determine eight slots within the first 30 positions after a Likud Central Committee vote. Gideon Sa’ar’s slot is tied to a merger agreement between his New Hope-United Right party and Likud.
Key Figures and Positions
- Benjamin Netanyahu – Prime Minister, driving the reserved-slot proposal.
- Israel Katz – Defence Minister, slated for a reserved slot per court ruling.
- Gideon Sa’ar – Foreign Minister, to receive a slot under the merger deal.
- Haim Katz – Likud Central Committee chairman and multiple-minister, whose slot was blocked.
- Tally Gotliv – MK and vocal critic of the reserved-slot plan.
Official Responses and Internal Opposition
Party officials announced that entrepreneur Oren Dobronsky would receive Netanyahu’s first reserved slot, with the three ministers expected to follow. Reports indicate Netanyahu has met with Haim Katz to smooth disagreements and has allegedly threatened to leave Likud if the changes are not adopted.
Implications for the Upcoming Election Cycle
The Likud primaries are scheduled for August 17, ahead of the general election on October 27. The party currently fields around 40 ministers and MKs, but polls project it will win roughly 25 seats, putting many incumbents at risk. The dispute over reserved slots highlights a broader struggle over how much control ordinary party members will have over the final Knesset slate.
