Netanyahu Considers Cancelling Likud Primaries Over Security Concerns

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated on Sunday that the Likud party's primary elections might not take place if security circumstances necessitate, suggesting that the party's Knesset candidate list could then be determined by a specialized committee rather than through internal voting.

This announcement coincided with the Likud Constitution Committee's approval of a new primary election plan that grants Netanyahu eight reserved seats on the party's candidate list.

On Sunday, the Likud Constitution Committee ratified Netanyahu's proposal to amend the party's primary election system. The changes include reserved seats for Netanyahu, modifications to the distribution of electoral districts, and new eligibility criteria for ministers and Knesset members, as reported by "Yedioth Ahronoth" newspaper.

According to the approved plan, Netanyahu will receive eight reserved seats within the first 30 spots on the Likud list. The new amendments also involve altering the allocation of electoral districts, with final locations to be determined based on the number of eligible voters when the voter registry is published, expected on July 26.

During a meeting with the Likud Constitution Committee members, Netanyahu expressed support for conducting the primary elections, describing them as a means to energize the party, mobilize grassroots support, and prepare for the general elections. However, he cautioned that exceptional security developments might hinder the organization of these elections.

Netanyahu added that a broad security escalation could complicate holding party conferences and conducting the voting process. Consequently, a provision was included allowing the Likud leader to decide to form an organizing committee responsible for preparing the candidate list if internal elections cannot be held.

Under the proposal, if a war or significant security escalation occurs that imposes restrictions on gatherings between the conference approval and the primary election date, the party leader can activate an alternative mechanism to form the candidate list.

The issue of reserved seats has been a subject of internal debate within the party. Netanyahu aims to maintain political flexibility in anticipation of possibly contesting the upcoming elections within alliances with other right-wing parties, including the option to allocate seats to allied figures or forces within the Likud list.

This development follows the Knesset's approval to dissolve itself in preparation for early general elections scheduled for October 27, 2026.