Vote counting in the Likud primaries has concluded, ending a dramatic battle for positions on the party's slate for the next Knesset.
Minister Eli Cohen took first place, leading Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana by more than 3,000 votes. Justice Minister Yariv Levin ranked third, Minister Miri Regev fourth, and Coalition Chairman MK Ofir Katz fifth.
Minister Yoav Kisch finished sixth, followed by Minister Miki Zohar. Deputy Minister Almog Cohen, competing in the party primaries for the first time after leaving the Otzma Yehudit Party, came in eighth. Closing out the top ten were Ministers Amichai Chikli and Dudi Amsalem.
MK Moshe Saada finished 11th, while MK Tally Gotliv ranked only 12th, well below forecasts that had placed her near the top of the slate.
Minister Shlomo Karhi overtook MK David Bitan at the last moment to finish 13th, with Bitan ranking 14th. Boaz Bismuth came in 15th, followed by Ministers Nir Barkat, Ze’ev Elkin, and Gila Gamliel, who beat out Eti Hava Atia for the third slot reserved for a woman.
At the same time, several ministers and Knesset members have been ousted from viable spots, including Ministers Ze'ev Elkin, May Golan, Avi Dichter, and Idit Silman, as well as MKs Nissim Vaturi, Keti Shitrit, Hanoch Milwidsky, and Ariel Kallner.
All three candidates backed by Netanyahu in the regional races won the primaries. Erez Tadmor won in the Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and Shfela district; Shlomo Lerner won in the Dan and Tel Aviv district; and Yehoshua Shuki Ohana won in the Galilee and Valleys district. Osnat Zohar and Dr. Ruth Kabbesa Abramson, whom Netanyahu also supported, failed to secure places on the slate.
Prime Minister and Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the primary results, saying he was “very pleased."
“The new Likud slate reflects renewal and the integration of new figures at the top of the list. Together with the reserved candidates to be appointed by Prime Minister Netanyahu, who will further strengthen the slate, the Likud team led by Netanyahu will achieve a major victory and establish a broad national government immediately after the elections. This is the only way to prevent a left-wing government led by Eisenkot, Yair Golan, Lieberman, and the Arab parties," Netanyahu said.
The Likud stated: “Prime Minister Netanyahu thanks the Likud members who voted based on common sense and not political deals. Prime Minister Netanyahu also deeply appreciates those who did not secure a place on the slate, thanks them for their contribution, and intends to involve them in efforts to secure a Likud victory."
Following the close of voting on Monday evening, tallying began across the 107 polling locations where party members cast their ballots. Upon completing the initial count, ballot boxes will be transferred to the Bloomfield Stadium complex in Tel Aviv for a recount. Likud officials estimate that final results will only be published in the morning hours.
According to a statement from the party, voter turnout reached 53.5% by the end of election day, representing 75,177 voters - roughly 5% lower than turnout in the previous primaries.
Earlier, Minister May Golan and MK Amit Halevi submitted complaints to Likud’s Central Election Committee, demanding an immediate halt to vote counting at the Yeruham polling station. The complaints alleged repeated instances of erasures, alterations, and marking of votes inconsistent with the candidate names being read aloud, claiming records were amended only after the local observer intervened and demanded corrections.
Meanwhile, Transportation Minister Miri Regev claimed on Monday that the El Al workers' union was attempting to weaken her standing on the list, attributing this to her decision to expand Wizz Air operations in Israel.
"Anyone who tells you 'Miri Regev is secure' wants to weaken me," Regev said. "You know the El Al union decided to drop me from their slates. It's all because I decided to bring in Wizz."
Regev emphasized her intent to proceed despite the pushback. "I said I would lower flight prices, and that is what will happen," she declared.
"No union will intimidate me or extort me," the Transportation Minister added. "The citizens of the State of Israel come first."