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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has celebrated the election of several close allies to top spots on the ruling Likud party’s candidate list, strengthening his influence ahead of the October 27 parliamentary elections.
The results of Likud’s internal primaries have been viewed as a test of Netanyahu’s control over the party, as well as a potential contest among politicians seeking to succeed him in the future. However, the 76-year-old prime minister has given no indication that he plans to step away from politics.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, faces a difficult re-election battle, with opinion polls predicting that Likud could lose parliamentary seats from its current 32 in the 120-member Knesset to around 22.
The top 10 positions on Likud’s candidate list have been secured by figures considered loyal to Netanyahu, including seven government ministers, the parliament speaker and the coalition whip. Energy Minister Eli Cohen, a former foreign minister, has taken the top position on the list behind Netanyahu.
Cohen has previously faced scrutiny over allegations that he improperly issued diplomatic passports to Likud supporters, including Netanyahu’s son, while serving as foreign minister. He has denied wrongdoing.
A Likud statement said Netanyahu was “very pleased” with the primary results and congratulated those selected to represent the party. The party said the list reflected “renewal and the integration of new forces at the top of the list.”
More than 140,000 Likud members participated in Monday’s primary vote to select candidates. Netanyahu has also reserved several positions on the party list for individuals he chose.
The party said the final list, combined with Netanyahu’s selections, would help Likud secure “a major victory” and form a broad national government after the elections.
Netanyahu’s leadership has faced international and domestic scrutiny since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, after which Israel launched military operations in Gaza and carried out strikes in Lebanon, Syria, Iran and other locations.
The prime minister is also the first serving Israeli leader to face a criminal trial, with corruption charges against him. Netanyahu has denied all allegations and has argued that his responsibilities as a wartime leader should delay court proceedings.
He also faces an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes linked to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, accusations he has rejected.
