Full Breakdown
Likud Primary Highlights Netanyahu’s Expanded Control Over the Party Slate
8/20/2026, 6:17:47 AM
Core Event: Primary Results and Reserved Slots
On August 17, 2026 the Likud party held its internal primary to rank candidates for the Knesset list that will contest the October 27 election. Energy Minister Eli Cohen topped the list, followed by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Transportation Minister Miri Regev, and coalition whip Ofir Katz. The top-ten was: 1 Cohen, 2 Ohana, 3 Levin, 4 Regev, 5 Katz, 6 Yoav Kisch, 7 Miki Zohar, 8 Almog Cohen, 9 Amichai Chikli, 10 Moshe Saada. Turnout was reported at 53.5 % of roughly 140,000 members (?75,000–76,000 votes).
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now controls eight reserved slots within the first 30 positions (3rd, 5th, 9th, 11th, 15th, 18th, 26th, 29th). He has earmarked slots for entrepreneur Oren Dobronsky, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and Likud Central Committee chair Haim Katz.
Background & Context
In June 2026 the Likud Central Committee approved an amendment granting the party chairman—Netanyahu—the authority to appoint eight candidates directly, sparking internal dissent. Critics say the change reduces rank-and-file influence and could push primary winners into lower, less realistic positions. The amendment also revived a “swap” provision allowing the prime minister to move a primary-elected candidate into a reserved slot while demoting the reserved candidate.
Data & Statistics
- Turnout: 53.5 % (?75,000–76,000 votes).
- Seats projected for Likud in the October 27 election: 22–24.
- Women guaranteed slots: at least five within the top 40; Miri Regev, Tally Gotliv, and Gila Gamliel occupy the three highest-ranked female spots.
- Reserved-slot influence: roughly one-third of the first 30 list positions are now subject to Netanyahu’s discretion.
Official Statements & Responses
Netanyahu told party members, “I trust you, Likud members, to choose your representatives correctly, according to your own judgment. I am not interfering in the national list, and I wish everyone success.”
Ministers Avi Dichter, Shlomo Karhi, and Miri Regev defended the primary as a “celebration of democracy,” noting that reserved slots are a longstanding, if expanded, feature that helps maintain party cohesion.
Criticism & Opposition
Former prime-ministerial spokesman Nir Hefetz argued the list “doesn’t help” Netanyahu and questioned its appeal to undecided voters. Culture Minister Miki Zohar said, “There’s no doubt that with the reserved slots, half of the list is democratic, and half of the list consists of reserved slots.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Turnout figures differ: 75,177 versus 76,068 votes, though both sources agree on a 53.5 % participation rate.
- Seat projections vary between 22 and 24 seats, reflecting divergent polling methodologies. No definitive post-primary poll has reconciled these estimates.
