Netanyahu's 'heart-to-heart talks' revealed - and the scenario he fears most

Prime Minister Netanyahu is holding an unusual round of 'heart-to-heart talks' with current Likud MKs, 'from one to the last'. His associates fear that MKs pushed out in the primaries will retaliate by supporting a constructive no-confidence vote or by blocking the reserved slots. The talks focus on current MKs, and the concern stems from the crowded list and the decision to prevent running in districts.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding an unusual round of 'heart-to-heart talks' with current Likud MKs, 'from one to the last', according to sources familiar with the details. The talks are conducted 'one-on-one', during which Netanyahu inquires about the MKs' activities, the issues they deal with, and the regional needs they raise. The talks focus on current MKs, not on new candidates in the primaries. According to the assessment in Likud, Netanyahu understands that the upcoming primaries may leave a number of current MKs outside the realistic slots. The crowded list, the number of MKs and ministers running, the slots allocated to districts, and the reserved slots significantly reduce the number of available places for national list candidates. The decision not to allow current and former MKs to run in districts closed off another path that could have eased the crowding on the national list. Netanyahu's associates fear that MKs pushed out in the primaries will try to retaliate by supporting a constructive no-confidence vote, and may even use their power to block the approval of reserved slots.