Likud primaries

Minister Gamliel files police complaint over Likud primary recount in Be'er Ya'akov

The Likud announced on Tuesday that it would conduct a recount of the ballot boxes from Be’er Ya’akov after Gamliel appealed to the party’s Supreme Court.

|ByAVI SOLOMON
Gila Gamliel, Innovation, Science and Technology Minister, casts her vote at a polling station during the Likud party’s internal elections in Jerusalem, July 27, 2026.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara arrive to cast their vote at a polling station in Jerusalem on August 17, 2026, as party members vote in the Likud primary elections to determine the party’s Knesset list ahead of the Israeli general elections.

Developments of the last week that could affect the approaching elections - opinion

His goal was to put unattractive candidates out of realistic places on the list – or as low on the list as possible. In many cases Netanyahu was successful, or at least partially successful. 

|BySUSAN HATTIS ROLEF
Likud primaries held on Monday.

Why PM Netanyahu should elevate Gabi Worku - opinion

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a test larger than one candidate and more revealing than another campaign speech: Will Likud place Gabi Worku in a realistic position on its Knesset list?

|BySHMUEL LEGESSE
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana attends a Likud party conference ahead of the party’s primary elections in the northern city of Haifa, August 16, 2026.

LGBTQ Agudah faces backlash for congratulating Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana on Likud primary win

"When a community member is elected by a large public, when a community member reaches positions of influence at the core of politics, it sends an important message," the association wrote.

|ByWALLA! CULTURE

Middle Israel: Netanyahu's Likud list for the Israeli election highlights PM's cowardice - opinion

Following Likud’s primaries, the party’s new list faces criticism for reflecting Netanyahu’s leadership style and prioritizing political survival rather than the national interest.

AUGUST 21, 2026ByAMOTZ ASA-EL
Campaign materials of candidates who ran in yesterday’s Likud primary elections are seen in Jerusalem, August 18, 2026

Likud fears new right-wing parties, alliances could split vote below electoral threshold - analysis

Senior Likud officials have urged Netanyahu to consider reserving a spot for Haddad on the Likud list in order to prevent him from joining Winter and creating another force to Likud's right.

AUGUST 20, 2026ByANNA BARSKY
Voters casting ballots in Israel's 25th Knesset election

Netanyahu may reserve a Likud spot for son Yair, former prime minister's spox. Hefetz predicts

Nir Hefetz predicted Netanyahu could reserve a Likud slot for Yair, while arguing the party's new slate will do little to attract undecided voters.

AUGUST 19, 2026By103FM
Yair Netanyahu, the prime minister's son, is surrounded by his father's supporters at Likud headquarters in Tel Aviv, in 2020.

'I should be justice minister': Tally Gotliv blames party machinery after Likud primary slide

Later, she called on Netanyahu to intervene in the composition of the party list, criticizing the lack of women on the primary list.

AUGUST 19, 2026By103FM
MK Tally Gotliv attends a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on, June 15, 2026.

Likud officials push Netanyahu to reserve spot for Yoseph Haddad amid Ofer Winter party concerns

Likud officials fear that a new right-wing party led by Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter could split the bloc’s vote, particularly if it fails to cross the electoral threshold.

AUGUST 18, 2026ByANNA BARSKY
Yoseph Haddad, an Arab-Israeli advocacy activist and CEO of the Together Vouch for Each Other association at the annual Jerusalem Conference of the 'Besheva' group in Jerusalem, on February 25, 2024.

Netanyahu comes out on top in Likud primaries, but voters want more - analysis

In Netanyahu’s Likud, reaching the top of the list is only half the challenge. The other half is remaining there without appearing too eager to reach for the crown.

AUGUST 18, 2026ByHERB KEINON
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the Negev Conference in Dimona, July 14, 2026

'October 7, haredi-lite list': Eisenkot, Bennett, opposition leaders react to Likud's primaries

Gadi Eisenkot called the Likud slate the "October 7 list," while Yair Lapid said the party "needs a break from power" and Avigdor Liberman accused it of becoming "haredi-lite."

AUGUST 18, 2026ByANNA BARSKY
Likud primaries held on Monday.

Who are the Likud ministers, MKs unlikely to make it into 26th Knesset? - explainer

Several current Likud ministers and MKs are expected to lose their seats in the 26th Knesset following October's election, largely because the party's size is expected to shrink from 36 to 20-25 MKs.

AUGUST 18, 2026ByJAMES GENN
Campaign materials of candidates who ran in yesterday’s Likud primary elections are seen in Jerusalem, August 18, 2026

Likud officials pressuring Netanyahu to move Avi Dichter into realistic party position using 'swap'

This message is now being conveyed to Netanyahu primarily because of Dichter's status as a former Shin Bet chief and concerns that Likud could enter the election without a senior security figure.

AUGUST 18, 2026ByANNA BARSKY
Agriculture and Raw Food Security Minister Avi Dichter attends Economic Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on March 26, 2025.

Netanyahu's new list: Eli Cohen wins top slot in tense Likud primaries

Amir Ohana, Yariv Levin, Miri Regev, and Ofir Katz round out Likud's new top five • May Golan, Gila Gamliel, Idit Silman, and Avi Dichter among lawmakers expected to drop out of Knesset

AUGUST 18, 2026ByKESHET NEEV
Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen attends a Likud party conference ahead of the party’s primary elections in the northern city of Haifa, August 4, 2026.