Internal Likud polls: Gutlieb's rise to top could cost seats; Netanyahu: 'I trust the party members'

In an internal Likud discussion, polls were presented showing that placing Tally Gotliv at the top of the list could cost the party 2-3 seats. Netanyahu called this 'disturbing' but refrained from official intervention, saying he trusts the party members. A 'Ulpan Shishi' poll showed Gotliv leading in popularity with 39.3%, followed by Ohana with 25.1%.

In an internal discussion held yesterday in Likud ahead of the primaries, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was presented with internal polls indicating that placing MK Tally Gotliv at the top of the list could cost the party a loss of 2 to 3 seats among target audiences in the general elections. The discussion raised a recommendation to act among party members to moderate her support. Netanyahu defined the data as 'disturbing' but decided not to intervene officially, saying he trusts party members to make the right considerations. The background is an 'Ulpan Shishi' poll by the 'Midgam' institute, in which nearly 40% (39.3%) of Likud voters named Gotliv as one of the three chosen who must be on the list, followed by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana with 25.1%. However, it was emphasized that the poll reflects all voters, not those eligible to vote in the primaries. Due to crowding, only about 14 realistic places remain, and about half of the MKs and ministers could be pushed out. Also in the popularity top are Israel Katz (18.1%), Nir Barkat (17.8%), Miri Regev (15.0%), Amichai Chikli (13.0%), Moshe Saada (11.9%), and Yariv Levin (11.5%). In contrast, Shlomo Karhi received 4.7%, Yoav Kisch 4.2%, Ofir Katz 3.5%, and Idit Silman 2.9%.