With just one day remaining before Likud holds its internal primary elections, political correspondent Michael Shemesh reported Sunday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner circle has identified three sitting lawmakers they hope to see pushed down the party's Knesset list or removed entirely.
The three targets are MK Tally Gotliv, Economy Minister Nir Barkat, and MK David Bitan. Shemesh characterized the move as "settling scores," suggesting Netanyahu wants them excluded from favorable positions on the slate that will determine which Likud members enter Israel's parliament after the next general election.
Gotliv has long been the subject of reports suggesting Netanyahu's displeasure with her independent streak and perceived defiance of party discipline, though she has consistently denied any rift with the prime minister. Earlier Sunday, the Ynet news site reported that Netanyahu refused to meet with Barkat despite the minister's request for a face-to-face conversation. According to that account, Barkat sought the meeting to clear the air following persistent reports that he worked behind the scenes to oust Netanyahu as party leader and prime minister immediately after the October 7 attacks, allegations Barkat has firmly denied.
The refusal to meet represents a significant political blow to Barkat. Had Netanyahu agreed to sit down with him, Likud primary voters would likely have interpreted the gesture as a sign of forgiveness and reconciliation, potentially boosting Barkat's standing in the internal vote and helping him secure a high position on the party list.
