Winning at Home, Losing Abroad

Prof. Guy Hochman analyzes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent moves within the Likud party, particularly the slots and primaries, and offers a behavioral explanation: cold revenge against Nir Barkat and Yuli Edelstein for the attempted ouster after October 7. The article argues that Netanyahu prefers loyalists over competent individuals and warns that prioritizing internal control over strengthening the party could harm Likud and the public.

Prof. Guy Hochman, an expert in behavioral economics, analyzes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent moves within the Likud party. Initially, the slots and decisions ahead of the primaries seemed puzzling, but a report on Channel 12 about an attempted ouster by Nir Barkat and Yuli Edelstein after October 7 sheds new light. According to the report, Haim Katz informed Netanyahu of the move, and the Prime Minister thwarted it. Now, he is using the primaries to exact cold revenge and weaken Barkat. Hochman explains that under threat, leaders tend to prefer loyalists over competent individuals, even at the cost of harming the organization. He warns that prioritizing internal control over strengthening the party could cause Likud to lose elections, even if Netanyahu defeats his internal rivals.

Winning at Home, Losing Abroad