Netanyahu's Likud must get its house in order if it hopes to perform this October – editorial

The Likud Party is facing internal turmoil ahead of its primary election on Monday, with disputes over reserved positions and last-minute rule changes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has secured eight slots for his chosen candidates, while guaranteed positions have also been approved for Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, and Likud Central Committee chairman Haim Katz. These developments follow an earlier attempt to create an emergency mechanism for list selection, which was rejected by the party tribunal. The article suggests that Netanyahu's motives may stem from concerns about certain candidates, such as MK Tally Gotliv, shaping the party's public image. The editorial argues that while reserved positions can be legitimate, the current extent of exceptions diminishes the democratic process for party members. It emphasizes the importance of preserving the Likud's tradition of broad primary elections, given its significant role in Israeli politics.