JERUSALEM — Likud's constitution committee unanimously decided on June 1, 2026, to set party primaries for its Knesset list no later than July 28, 2026. If the Knesset elections are brought forward, the primaries will also be moved up and held two months before the new election date.
Benjamin Netanyahu has come to terms with the idea of holding primaries and is not currently working to cancel them. Netanyahu would have preferred a different solution to the primaries but understands that it would spark very strong opposition inside Likud.
Likud officials estimate that the chances of canceling the primaries and establishing a steering committee to choose the national list have dropped. The convening of the constitution committee is a necessary step toward holding primaries, regardless of whether the final decision is made by the outgoing central committee or the new convention.
Netanyahu commissioned internal polls that show the composition of the Likud list is one of the issues troubling Likud voters, second only to the cost of living. He is concerned that regular primaries would push to high positions candidates who are vocal and populist, popular with the base, but likely to push away moderate right-wing voters.
There are about 400,000 votes wavering between the blocs, representing eight to 10 seats that could decide the election. “An attractive Likud list could help bring in wavering voters, while a problematic list could do exactly the opposite.” Another Likud source noted that “There are candidates who appeal to the base but do not necessarily help bring in voters from outside.”
Likud’s court is scheduled to meet on June 3, 2026, to discuss the new convention and the date to bring it for approval. A petition has been filed with Likud's court to prevent the convening of the constitution committee, but no injunction has been issued to prevent the meeting. Likud officials say most of the obstacles to convening the party convention have been removed, although legal attempts to delay it are still possible.
In private conversations, Netanyahu expressed satisfaction with the results of the mock primaries held at the party’s annual convention, in which Amir Ohana came in first by a wide margin. In Netanyahu’s view, Ohana represents the classic Likud—one that not only does not scare away voters but also adorns the list with quality candidates who draw an audience. MK Tally Gotliv is very popular among some party members but is seen as potentially making it harder for Likud among moderate right-wing voters.
No independent assessment was available for this report.