Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly refused to compromise on his demand to secure ten reserved spots on Likud's national candidate list, a move that has sparked significant internal tension. A senior party official described the situation as unprecedented and warned of severe disruption within the party ranks if the plan proceeds.

Under the proposal, all current ministers and members of parliament from Likud would be required to compete for placement on the national list, with nearly half expected to lose realistic positions. If implemented, as many as seventy percent of Likud's current ministers and lawmakers could be excluded from the next parliament, while Netanyahu would fill reserved slots with his own appointees without primary elections.

Netanyahu is reportedly concerned that the current list lacks the appeal needed to energize voters, particularly in traditional strongholds. He is said to be considering the inclusion of prominent figures connected to the October 7 tragedy, including families of victims and hostages, to strengthen public support. A Likud spokesperson dismissed the reports as complete fake news and reaffirmed Netanyahu's commitment to leading the party in the upcoming elections.