Israel’s governing Likud Party is conducting primaries to determine its candidate list for the country’s forthcoming general election. The process occurs under proportional representation rules, where the party’s candidates are ranked on a list, with higher-ranked candidates more likely to secure seats in the 120-member Knesset parliament based on the party’s overall vote share.
The Likud primaries are characterized as contentious events within the Israeli political calendar. The upcoming general election holds particular significance for both Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Likud Party, generating substantial interest in the selection process. Likud is among a limited number of Israeli political parties that allow party members to determine candidate placement and ordering, though with substantial restrictions on realistic candidacy.
Under the party’s primary structure, Netanyahu retains considerable control over candidate selection. As party leader, he directly designates eight candidates for placement on the list, with three additional candidates granted positions through prior agreements within the party. These reserved positions, combined with mandated slots for women, young candidates, and recent immigrants, leave approximately 15 genuinely competitive positions in the top 30 spots on the candidate list. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Defence Minister Israel Katz are permitted to appear on the list uncontested through separate arrangements, with Saar’s placement resulting from his New Hope party’s merger with Likud in March 2025.
Netanyahu has additionally selected several other candidates for guaranteed positions, including tech entrepreneur Oren Dobronsky, whose candidacy drew scrutiny following the emergence of past social media comments. The primary process represents a critical juncture for the party as it prepares for what is anticipated to be a consequential electoral contest.
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