Aviv Bushinsky, who previously served as spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressed allegations Tuesday on Kol Barama radio regarding Economy Minister Nir Barkat. According to a report by journalist Amit Segal, Barkat allegedly attempted to orchestrate Netanyahu's removal and position himself as a replacement.
Bushinsky suggested the revelation could severely damage Barkat's political ambitions within the ruling Likud party. "This is almost a death blow to Barkat's primaries," he said, referring to internal party elections. He noted that Likud members traditionally oppose challenges to Netanyahu's leadership, adding that the prime minister's standing within the party "has never been stronger" and that Netanyahu has successfully "shaped Likud in his image." Bushinsky also questioned the involvement of Oren Dobransky, calling it "strange casting."
Bushinsky's stark assessment—calling the Barkat revelation a "death blow" to the Economy Minister's political ambitions—reflects the brutal calculus of Israeli coalition politics and Netanyahu's iron grip over Likud.
The facts are now in the open: Barkat co-led a failed effort to replace Netanyahu through a no-confidence vote immediately following the October 7 onslaught, alongside Likud MK Yuli Edelstein, who has since left the party to form a rival faction named "Unity." What was once whispered dissent within party ranks is now public ammunition.
Netanyahu's response has been systematic. Channel 12 reports Netanyahu sees the primaries as an opportunity to settle scores and promote loyalists, with his decision to reserve a slot for tech entrepreneur Oren Dobronsky reportedly intended in part to weaken Barkat. This is not incidental political maneuvering—it's targeted retaliation.
In fact, Bushinsky's assessment rings true: within Likud's tribal culture, where loyalty to Netanyahu is paramount and challenges to his leadership are considered betrayal, the revelation of Barkat's October 2023 coup attempt is nearly disqualifying. Netanyahu's standing within the party "has never been stronger" and he has successfully "shaped Likud in his image," according to Bushinsky. Barkat bet on removing Netanyahu. He lost. Now he faces the consequences. The Times of Israel
Barkat can still compete in the primaries. But he will do so politically diminished, marked by a failed coup that Likud members, Netanyahu's base, view as disloyalty. That is not a position from which a prime minister is built.
The question now is whether Barkat can survive as Economy Minister or whether he will follow Edelstein's path out of Likud entirely.
