Lead
Transportation Minister Miri Regev said Tuesday that Likud will hold democratic primaries, with some 150,000 party members choosing the Knesset slate, and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's voice will be heard in the process. Her remarks came amid days of uncertainty over whether the party would use primaries or a selection committee.
In a separate development, MK Tally Gotliv launched a broad attack against those predicting her ouster, the top ranks of the defense establishment, and the prosecution, in an interview with 103FM on Thursday. Gotliv clashed directly with program host Sivan Cohen and defended herself against reports of internal party maneuvering.
Coverage Comparison
Both reports come from the Jerusalem Post, which covered the two sets of remarks in separate articles. The first article, published June 23, 2026, focuses on Regev's statements to the 103FM program Seven Nine, presenting them in a neutral, informative tone. The second, published June 12, 2026, highlights Gotliv's confrontational interview, emphasizing her defensive posture and direct clashes.
The framing of the two stories differs: the Regev piece is structured around her reassurance that primaries will proceed, while the Gotliv piece leads with her attack on critics and her insistence that the prime minister cannot cancel the primaries.
Key Claims
Regev said that after several days of uncertainty, Likud would hold primaries, with Netanyahu expected to receive reserved spots on the list, subject to the faction's approval. "I speak with the prime minister. At no stage did he tell me that he wanted a selection committee," Regev said. "It is true that several people came to him, including heads of local authorities, and recommended that he go for a selection committee at this time, but at no stage did he say he supported a selection committee."
Addressing the party chairman's request for 10 reserved spots, Regev said the matter would be decided through joint discussion. "In the end, Netanyahu brings us most of the votes. Of course, his opinion will be heard and will also be considered favorably. Can I tell you whether he will get 10 reserved spots or seven? In the end, the decision will be made through dialogue, but the prime minister will definitely get reserved spots, and this is not the first time."
When asked about reports targeting Gotliv and concerns about losing mandates, Regev said the decision rests solely with the movement's members. "I am not entering into any campaign, I do not take polls, and I do not know the polls. We have excellent Knesset members and ministers among Likud members. Any lineup that Likud members choose, I will of course accept."
Gotliv, in her interview, was unimpressed by Amit Segal's report on Netanyahu's intention to cancel the primaries, saying that he was "diminishing the leadership strength of the Prime Minister." She added: "You think he doesn't want strong people around him. I really haven't lowered my head, I haven't turned the Prime Minister's circle into my own environment. The only thing driving me is the Prime Minister."
Gotliv also said that Netanyahu wants her "very, very much," and emphasized that the prime minister cannot cancel the primaries. "This is not his decision," she said. "We are not a one-man party. I am not part of that; we have an excellent leader and a great party. Netanyahu is not leaving; he's with us as much as he can."
Regev refused to call out Gotliv over the Shin Bet affair, and separately criticized former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, according to the same Jerusalem Post article. Details of those remarks were not fully reproduced in the available material.