🗳️ Israel's Election: A Nail-Biting Battle 🤯

LIKUD PARTY PRIMARY ELECTIONS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The upcoming general election in Israel represents a pivotal moment for the country’s political landscape, and at the heart of this lies the internal process of the Likud Party. Scheduled primaries are set to determine the party’s candidates, a process characterized by intensity and significant implications for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the party’s future direction. This restructuring focuses on the key elements driving this election cycle within the Likud, examining the selection process, prominent candidates, and the contentious issues shaping the party’s stance.

THE SELECTION PROCESS: A SYSTEM OF DEALS AND FAVORITISM
The Likud Party, alongside Hadash and other Israeli parties, employs a unique system where party members hold considerable sway in determining the composition of the party list. Beyond designated seats for women, young candidates, and recent immigrants, Netanyahu personally selects eight individuals through his leadership role and secures three more through agreements with other Knesset members. This leaves a limited 15 realistic opportunities for other candidates to compete for a place within the top 30 of the list. The selection process relies heavily on negotiated deals, demonstrating a complex interplay of power and influence within the party. These deals are often brokered to secure the inclusion of specific figures, irrespective of their overall standing within the party’s ideological spectrum.

KEY CANDIDATES: HARDLINE POSITIONS AND CONTROVERSIAL VIEWS
Several prominent figures within the Likud are vying for positions on the party list, each carrying significant weight and holding distinct, often contentious, viewpoints. Israel Katz, currently serving as Defence Minister, is widely considered the most hardline minister within the party. Katz has repeatedly advocated for uncompromising measures regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, including proposals to cut off water, electricity, and fuel supplies to the territory until the return of Israeli captives. His stances have extended to advocating for a continued Israeli security zone around Gaza and plans for new settlements and outposts in the West Bank, coupled with a demand for the disarmament of Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon.

GIDEON SAAR: A HARDLINE CRITIC OF INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
Gideon Saar, formerly the Foreign Minister, is another key figure within the Likud, known for his unwavering stance against international criticism of Israel’s actions. Saar has actively supported the “ethnic cleansing” of Gaza, defended restrictions on humanitarian aid, and attributed these actions to contributing to the famine in Gaza. His political activity extends to actively defending Israel’s position on the conflict, highlighting a deeply critical perspective on international involvement.

HAIM KATZ: CORRUPTION CHARGES AND CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR ISRAELI ACTION
Haim Katz, Chair of the Likud Constitution Committee, is a long-term ally of Netanyahu and is himself facing corruption charges. He is a staunch supporter of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and has called for the establishment of new Israeli settlements within the Palestinian enclave. Katz’s views align closely with Netanyahu’s, reflecting a consistent commitment to a hardline approach to the region.

NEW CANDIDATES: TECH ENTREPRENEUR AND CONTROVERSIAL VIEWS
Beyond the established figures, Netanyahu has chosen to include Oren Dobronsky, a tech entrepreneur, restaurateur, and TV personality, in the primaries. Dobronsky, who previously served in the Israeli army’s central computing unit, has expressed controversial opinions regarding the US’s negotiations with Iran, calling former President Donald Trump a “morally corrupt piece of s***”. His public statements, including calls to level Gaza and suggestions for neighboring Arab countries to take in Palestinian refugees, demonstrate a provocative and uncompromising stance. Dobronsky’s inclusion highlights Netanyahu’s strategy to broaden the party's appeal and engage younger voters.