Likud

Likud lawmakers express growing concern that Prime Minister Netanyahu may bypass holding party primaries. An MK warns that forming a selection committee to choose the party's ticket would lead to 'immediate political consequences'.

An Israeli Likud minister, Chikli, accused Turkish President Erdogan of being a 'grotesque hybrid of Hitler and Sinwar,' calling him a 'pathetic blood-soaked zero' and a 'patron of Hamas and ISIS.' The remarks come amid escalating Israeli rhetoric against Ankara.

Netanyahu is seeking Haredi loyalty after an election but faces noncommittal responses from party leaders. United Torah Judaism reportedly told him, 'First you pass the laws, then we'll talk,' while Netanyahu aims to gain more control over the Likud slate due to concerns about its viability.

Edelstein splits from Likud, becoming the latest senior Likud politician to go independent, though breaking free from Netanyahu's influence may not be simple.

Edelstein left Likud because he couldn't defend its agenda and is seeking a broad coalition. Lapid stated Bennett is better suited to be Prime Minister than himself at present.

Yuli Edelstein is leaving Likud to pursue a new political path after breaking with the government over an effort to exempt Haredim from IDF service. He is reportedly discussing joining a potential alternative to Netanyahu's party.

Police arrested two individuals for allegedly attacking Democrats party activists in south Tel Aviv. A deputy mayor from a left-leaning party accused Netanyahu of creating a 'new reality' preventing her from canvassing in Hatikvah Market, a Likud stronghold.

Likud is reportedly offering to halt demolitions in Bedouin Negev communities to secure Ra’am's abstention on a controversial media overhaul law. Shas is said to agree to support the bill if a kosher certification reform is reversed.

Likud postponed its primaries to August 4, with Netanyahu seeking to control the party slate amid an unresolved dispute over reserved slots. Netanyahu demands 11 reserved slots to consolidate power and broaden Likud's appeal as Eisenkot's poll numbers rise.

Gadi Eisenkot, former Israeli defense chief, is emerging as the main rival to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel's parliamentary elections. His centrist party Yashar! is currently second in polls behind Netanyahu's Likud. The election is scheduled for October 20 at the latest.

Polls indicate declining support for the Bennett-Lapid alliance as Eisenkot’s party gains traction. Together is projected to secure at least 15 seats, while Yashar polls at 20-22 seats, trailing the ruling Likud. Surveys suggest potential mergers may not significantly impact the balance between the blocs.

An Israeli minister from Likud stated that Turkey and Syria are 'far more concerning than Iran,' referencing a 'Muslim Brotherhood axis' involving Turkey, Syria, and Qatar. The minister claimed the era of Iran's 'Shiite empire' with Syria and Hezbollah is over.

Netanyahu is seeking to gain unprecedented control over the Likud slate by reserving 8-10 slots for handpicked candidates. Resistance exists to plans to replace primaries with a selection committee.

A U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding signed in June 2026 grants Iran sanctions relief and unfreezes funds, sparking criticism in the U.S. and Israel. In Iran, the deal is met with cautious optimism amid historical distrust, while Israeli political figures express betrayal by the U.S. and President Trump.

Likud is removing election advertisements that emphasized ties between Netanyahu and US President Trump following the Iran deal. The party determined the connection with the US president would not enhance Netanyahu's electoral prospects, with the decision made before the deal's finalization.

Likud reportedly scrapped an election campaign emphasizing Netanyahu’s ties to Trump following the US-Iran deal. Australia relaxed travel warnings to Israel and other Middle East nations, while the US reiterated opposition to West Bank annexation.

Two surveys indicate Yashar and Together political slates would tie in a Knesset vote, trailing Likud. A separate poll shows Eisenkot's party pulling ahead of Bennett's in the race to challenge Netanyahu.

Israeli MP Ariel Kellner declared Turkey an 'enemy state' and criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a 'dictator' and 'very dangerous person' amid escalating tensions. Turkey's President Erdogan accused Israel of aggression threatening global security, while trade relations between the two countries have declined following an embargo.

Eisenkot, a former IDF chief, criticizes Netanyahu's Likud for mocking his English-language skills, calling the campaign a 'racist' attack led by aide Jonatan Urich. He questions where Netanyahu's 'excellent English' was on Oct. 7.

Israeli lawmakers advanced a bill to exempt most ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from military conscription despite opposition. The bill, supported by ultra-Orthodox parties, aims to enshrine Torah study as a fundamental value and requires a constitutional-level Basic Law. The government backed the bill but sought removal of comparisons between Torah students and military service.

Police recommend that Minister Golan face trial over allegations of creating fictitious jobs for associates and receiving payments for no work. A law enforcement official stated there is sufficient evidence to file charges.

Israel's Likud party announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to run in the upcoming election following comments from US President Donald Trump. Trump questioned whether Netanyahu wants to continue as prime minister, while Likud stated Netanyahu will 'win, God willing.'

Tally Gotliv, a Likud MK, accused security forces of 'treason' in Knesset amid Iran attacks, claiming immunity after exposing a Shin Bet agent and promoting conspiracy theories. Haredi MKs pushed for a Basic Law to exempt Torah study participants from draft obligations.

Netanyahu forces through the election of his lawyer, Michael Rabello, as state comptroller after a rerun triggered by claims Likud MKs were instructed to film ballots to demonstrate loyalty. The opposition plans a High Court petition to challenge the contested election.

Likud will hold primaries for its electoral slate by July 28, with Netanyahu secured in the top position. Internal polls have raised concerns that the primaries may favor candidates popular with the party base but less appealing to moderate right-wing voters.

The Ombudsman penalized Likud and Labor for irregularities in their 2024 financial reports. The state comptroller cited inadequate oversight of membership fees and found 10 current parties and 9 defunct parties owe the state $45 million.

A poll shows 60% of Otzma Yehudit voters and 40% of Religious Zionism voters oppose a government coalition with ultra-Orthodox parties, while Likud is the only Zionist party with a majority of supporters in favor of such a coalition.

Veteran Likud members Itamar Erdan and Gideon Edelstein are reportedly making progress in forming a new right-wing party to challenge Netanyahu in the upcoming election, with key decisions expected within the next two weeks.

Ex-Likud minister Gilad Erdan is considering establishing a right-wing political party and potentially running for prime minister after Benjamin Netanyahu exits politics. Erdan, a lifelong Likud member, discussed the 'feasibility' of his plan on Radio 103FM.

Likud MK Distel Atbaryan announced she will not seek reelection after the Knesset's term ends. A former Netanyahu ally, she served as public diplomacy minister before resigning days after October 7 and later led a panel overseeing a controversial media overhaul bill.

Netanyahu and the Haredim are engaged in a power struggle over the Knesset dissolution process, triggered by the ultra-Orthodox demand for draft exemptions. Analysts suggest neither side may actually want early elections, focusing instead on gaining leverage.