At a Crossroads: The New Likud May Push Netanyahu to a Dramatic Decision | Ephraim Ganor

Ephraim Ganor writes that the Likud primaries, before their results are published, are a significant milestone. He assesses that their results, along with polls showing Likud is far from forming the next government and a candidate list not to his liking, may push Netanyahu to a dramatic decision to retire from political life before the elections. He mentions new Likud defectors on the right and those who might benefit from Likud's disintegration.

Ephraim Ganor, in an opinion column in Maariv, writes before the publication of the Likud primary results that these internal elections are a significant milestone for the party, Israeli politics, and the future of the state. He claims that the intention to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as head of Likud and the government has been on the agenda since the October 7 disaster, contrary to popular opinion. Ganor assesses that the primary results will greatly affect Netanyahu and his continued path. He mentions new Likud defectors on the right such as Gilad Erdan, Yuli Edelstein, Moshe Feiglin, and perhaps Moshe Kahlon and Yoav Gallant, creating a new power map. According to him, Netanyahu may find himself with a candidate list not to his liking, and combined with polls showing Likud is far from forming the next government, this may lead him to a dramatic decision to retire from political life before the elections. If this happens, the struggle for the day after will strengthen Likud's disintegration, and those who may benefit are new streams on the right, including Itamar Ben-Gvir, Avigdor Lieberman, and even Gadi Eisenkot.