Prime Minister Netanyahu told Likud-affiliated mayors that if the security situation forces primaries to be canceled, an arranging committee with five mayors would determine the party list. He also said he intends to meet Likud Central Committee chairman Haim Katz to expand the national list and place all eight reserved slots in the top 20 positions, according to Daphna Liel (N12).
Netanyahu's latest remarks to Likud mayors, reported Sunday at 16:11 by Daphna Liel (N12), add specifics to the party's internal list negotiations. The prime minister stated that if the security situation forces the cancellation of primaries — an option he has been weighing — an arranging committee of five mayors would determine the candidate list. He also revealed his intention to meet Likud Central Committee chairman Haim Katz to negotiate the expansion of the national list to accommodate all eight reserved slots in the top two deciles.
This follows two bulletins from The Zioneer at 15:45 today, which reported that Netanyahu had told Likud mayors the security situation could force a committee list and that he was demanding eight reserved slots in the top 20. The new report provides the mechanism (five-mayor committee) and the next step (a meeting with Katz).
The broader context includes a long-running effort by Netanyahu to bypass primaries and secure reserved slots, dating back to June. Earlier reports indicated he threatened to leave Likud over the demand, and has repeatedly postponed meetings on the issue. The security situation — a factor cited in the current discussions — remains broadly defined, with no specific threat announced.
The meeting with Katz and the exact composition of the proposed committee remain to be confirmed. The signal is Developing, based on a single credible source.
6 developments
- DevelopingNetanyahu offers Likud MKs specific reserved list slots amid infighting
- DevelopingNetanyahu threatens to quit Likud unless granted 10 reserved Knesset slots
- DevelopingLikud Minister Regev: Netanyahu's demands to party will be heard, primaries to be held
- DevelopingSenior Likud figure says Netanyahu 'serious' about arranging committee, will decide in days
Source and signal
- Internal intake