Scandal at the primaries – why Regev turned on El Al
Transport Minister Miri Regev accused airline El Al of attempting to interfere in the party primaries. According to her, the carrier organized a campaign against her due to her plans to allow low-cost carrier Wizz Air into the market. Regev stated that opponents sent party members lists urging them not to vote for her, calling it blackmail. She also indirectly criticized the party leadership and Netanyahu for reserved slots for associates on the list.
Transport Minister Miri Regev accused national airline El Al of attempting to interfere in the internal party primaries. Speaking on 103FM radio, she said the company's management and employees organized a campaign against her because of her plans to allow low-cost carrier Wizz Air into the Israeli market. According to Regev, opponents sent party members lists urging them not to vote for her candidacy, which she characterized as outright blackmail and pressure on a public official. The statements came on the day polling stations opened, when the minister arrived to vote in Rosh HaAyin. She also indirectly criticized the party leadership and Benjamin Netanyahu, noting that fair competition is complicated by pre-reserved slots for associates in the first and second tens of the list. Earlier reports said El Al completed the second quarter of 2026 with growth in indicators and presented plans to expand its fleet. By the end of June, the company had 50 aircraft, 49 of which were in operation, compared with 47 a year earlier. The average fleet age is about 15 years.