Is Netanyahu on the way to save the minister who was pushed out? "He is not satisfied"

Political commentator Mati Tuchfeld ("Maariv") addressed this morning (Wednesday) the results of the Likud primaries and the emerging list for the general elections. In a conversation with Gadi Ness on Radio Tzafon 104.5FM, he said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is generally satisfied with the result, but noted that in several focal points he did not manage to achieve his wish.

"The Prime Minister is very satisfied with the primary results," said Tuchfeld. According to him, one of Netanyahu's central goals was to influence the composition of the top ten and prevent the entry of candidates who, in his opinion, could harm the image of the Likud.

Tuchfeld added that Netanyahu acted extensively to influence the leadership: "There were candidates that Netanyahu did not want to be in the top ten, and we saw that he did everything he could to control this list. We saw that whoever was elected is who the Prime Minister planned to be there."

According to him, one of Netanyahu's fears was that Tali Gotliv would integrate into the leadership. "Netanyahu was afraid that Gotliv would bypass others, but those he wanted to be among the first in the list reached these places — Eli Cohen, Yariv Levin, and Amir Ohana in the top spots. There are more reserved spots that we still do not know who they are."

"Bitan won — and the deals are still strong"

Alongside Netanyahu's satisfaction, Tuchfeld pointed to two focal points where the results did not match the Prime Minister's wish. The first is David Bitan. According to him, Netanyahu sought not only to weaken Bitan himself, but also to reduce the power of political maneuvering and deals in the Likud.

"We see two things that are troubling from Netanyahu's perspective, which did not happen despite his wish. He did not want only to kick David Bitan out of the Knesset, but wanted to kick all the deal-makers and political operators out of the Likud, which is currently represented by Bitan," he explained. However, this attempt did not succeed: "He did not succeed, because Bitan is deep inside and managed to bring the new woman. In practice, Bitan won there, he will be a Knesset member and the deals are still strong on the ground."

Dichter is out — and Netanyahu is in a dilemma

The second issue that troubles Netanyahu, according to Tuchfeld, is the situation of Avi Dichter, who was pushed to an unrealistic spot. Netanyahu tried to strengthen Dichter even before the primaries and even added him to a small strategic team.

Tuchfeld explained that from Netanyahu's perspective, this is a significant loss: "The face of the Likud cannot be someone who was ejected from the Knesset and whom the party did not want as its representative. From Netanyahu's perspective, it is a significant loss that Dichter did not pass, but when looking at the people he did fight for to enter — he wanted them to succeed." Now, the possibility arises that Netanyahu will use one of the reserved spots to return Dichter to a realistic spot, but such a move could arouse criticism within the Likud. "Netanyahu needs to weigh whether the criticism is worth it to him," Tuchfeld added.

"Netanyahu is not satisfied that Silman did not enter"

Tuchfeld also addressed the results among the women on the list and claimed that Netanyahu hoped to see Idit Silman in a higher spot. "Netanyahu is not satisfied that Silman did not enter. He wanted her to be the third woman and not Gila Gamliel," he said.

According to him, despite Netanyahu's great power within the Likud, the Prime Minister also has limitations: "In the end, even the power of the Prime Minister, the 'great dictator' who is presented as anti-democratic, has democratic rules that he respects. He stretched the limit to the end with a record number of reserved spots." In conclusion, Tuchfeld estimates that Netanyahu can be satisfied with the leadership elected, but the primary results left him with several complex decisions — and primarily the question of whether to use the reserved spots to save Dichter, and thereby push back candidates who have already received the trust of the voters.