Likud Primary: May Golan Claims Political Interference

Israel's Minister for Social Equality, May Golan, issued a combative statement Tuesday following her disappointing performance in Likud's internal primary elections, where she placed far lower than expected on the party's candidate list. While thanking thousands of party members who voted for her, Golan launched sharp accusations against unnamed figures within the party, alleging they orchestrated efforts to damage her politically.

In her statement, Golan directly addressed her supporters, expressing gratitude to the 19,214 Likud members who cast ballots in her favor. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart, 19,214 free Likud members! The ideological ones! The principled ones!" the minister wrote. "Each and every one of you who took the trouble to come and vote for me, not because anyone forced you, not because they shoved a pre-prepared slip into your hand, and certainly not because they threatened you, you came of your own free will!"

Golan then turned her attention to what she described as behind-the-scenes maneuvering during the internal election campaign, suggesting her support came despite organized opposition. "Despite the false spin spread the day before the primaries, despite the hit lists of those who didn't want a right-wing, opinionated woman in the party, and those 'advisers on behalf of the Prime Minister', whose actions I will detail and discuss further down the line, who decided that May Golan is 'too right-wing' and could interfere with the future plans they have designated for the government and its leader, despite all this, you were with me. A huge crowd of true right-wingers," she wrote.

To clarify the technical outcome for the general public unfamiliar with Likud's complex primary system, Golan explained how the results translate into actual Knesset prospects. "Following thousands of inquiries I'm receiving from dear members of the public who aren't involved in the technical details and don't understand what happened, it's important for me to explain: the multiple reserved slots for the Prime Minister caused a reduction in the national list and left only 17 realistic spots for over 40 ministers, Knesset members, and new candidates, so that in practice, in a very unusual way, my arrival at the respectable 23rd place with over 19,000 voters, gets pushed down to 40th place."

In Israel's parliamentary system, parties create ranked lists before elections, and only candidates high enough on the list are likely to win Knesset seats based on the party's overall vote share.

Likud primaries (צילום: Sharon Leibel/Flash90)

Despite the challenging placement, Golan emphasized that the results would not diminish her resolve or the grassroots support she has received. "But none of this will shake the tremendous and factual vote of confidence I receive from you, the huge public that from the moment the results were announced, have been calling me and writing to me constantly and don't stop moving me emotionally. Thank you for giving me the strength to continue representing you faithfully with our voice of truth!" she declared.

Golan concluded her statement with a determination to continue her work, adding: "With G-d's help, we will continue to act and succeed."