Story perspectives

Likud approves Netanyahu allies’ slots for next election

8/12/2026

Summary

Netanyahu Expands Likud Slots

Likud approved slots for Gideon Sa’ar and Israel Katz, separate from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s eight discretionary places, making ten of first twenty-nine spots.
A Likud court froze Haim Katz’s slot over his August 17 primary candidacy, yet the panel approved slots for Sa’ar, Israel Katz and Haim Katz, saying rules let Netanyahu shape the slate.
Netanyahu shortened the party-membership requirement to allow Ze’ev Elkin and MK Almog Cohen to run.

Summary

Netanyahu Approves Reconstruction

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz approved rehabilitation work east of Rafah two weeks ago.
The Emirati-backed pilot will build temporary housing.
Gazan contractors will work after Shin Bet checks under Israel Defense Forces supervision of utilities.
The Prime Minister’s Office said the area was cleared of terror infrastructure and tunnels.
MK Avigdor Liberman said the reconstruction is a payoff for Netanyahu’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

History

Historical Context

Israel’s 2005 unilateral Gaza disengagement, championed by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, removed all 21 settlements and evacuated roughly 8,000 settlers. Though the UN still deems Gaza occupied, the move reshaped Israeli political calculations. Today’s Likud primary reshuffle and the Rafah reconstruction pilot invoke Sharon’s precedent of large-scale settlement removal to sway voters and justify new development funding.

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Netanyahu Expands Likud Slots

Likud approved slots for Gideon Sa’ar and Israel Katz, separate from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s eight discretionary places, making ten of first twenty-nine spots.
A Likud court froze Haim Katz’s slot over his August 17 primary candidacy, yet the panel approved slots for Sa’ar, Israel Katz and Haim Katz, saying rules let Netanyahu shape the slate.
Netanyahu shortened the party-membership requirement to allow Ze’ev Elkin and MK Almog Cohen to run.

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