Likud chose loyalists to Netanyahu - but the elections will be decided elsewhere | Lilach Sigan

Lilach Sigan argues that the elections will be decided by the soft right, not by Likud primaries. She criticizes Netanyahu's list for rewarding loyalists and punishing opponents, comparing it to Erdan's list which includes statesmanlike figures. She notes the blending of Likud with Otzma Yehudit and asks whether independent candidates will agree to be slotted.

In an opinion column in Maariv, Lilach Sigan argues that the upcoming elections will not be decided by the Likud primaries, but by the 'soft right' segment – voters disappointed with the coalition. She criticizes the Likud list, which she says rewards Netanyahu loyalists and punishes opponents, and notes that this is not necessarily a good formula for the disappointed. She mentions Miri Regev, Yariv Levin, and Amir Ohana as representatives of the judicial reform, and Eli Cohen as the only statesmanlike figure. She compares the list to Gilad Erdan's list, which includes Yuli Edelstein, Haim Hecht, Oren Smadja, and Aliza Bloch, who she says speak to right-wing people seeking statesmanship. She also notes the blending of Likud with Otzma Yehudit, with Almog Cohen moving from Likud and May Golan possibly moving to Ben Gvir. Sigan asks whether capable people will want to be slotted in a list where independent opinion comes at a heavy price, and mentions Yoav Galant, Edelstein, Sharen Haskel, Dan Illouz, Nir Barkat, and David Bitan as those who were punished.