The final Likud primary results, reported by Amit Segal (N12), show that candidate Bismut edged out MK David Bitan by a margin of 16 votes. The razor-thin outcome determines the final order of the party's list. Earlier Tuesday, The Zioneer reported a tight race between Bitan and Minister Shlomo Karhi at the 99% mark.
The final tally of the Likud primary, reported by Amit Segal (N12) on Tuesday morning, confirms that candidate Bismut edged out MK David Bitan by a razor-thin margin of 16 votes, concluding a day of rapid vote-counting that reshuffled the party's top ranks.
The Zioneer tracked the closely-contested race throughout the early morning. At 06:12 Jerusalem, the first results emerged showing a tight race between Bitan and Minister Shlomo Karhi; as the tally climbed to 97%, Bitan overtook Karhi; by the 99% mark, the race remained unresolved—and the complete count ultimately flipped the order, with Bismut overtaking Bitan by 16 votes. Along the way, incumbent ministers Avi Dichter, Idit Silman, and May Golan fell to non-realistic slots, as reported from the 95% mark, while candidates at the bottom of the list—including Bismut—remained in contention through the final stage.
The outcome caps a day of shifting fortunes that The Zioneer has documented since the first ballot boxes were opened. Earlier reporting highlighted the historic rise of coalition chair Ofir Katz into the top five, as well as the dramatic collapse of previously high-ranking figures such as Economy Minister Nir Barkat.
The final list is now set, pending official certification by the Likud central committee. No further challenges to the count have been reported.
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