Netanyahu Faces Likud Ultimatum After Yaara Zered Rejects Reserved Spot

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing intense pressure and a series of high-profile rejections as he scrambles to finalize the Likud party's reserved spots ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections.

In his latest attempt to secure prominent figures, Netanyahu approached Yaara Zered, a well-known anchor on Channel 14 News, offering her a reserved spot on the Likud list. Zered declined the offer, choosing to remain in journalism rather than enter the political arena at this stage. Additionally, Netanyahu offered a reserved spot to Yisca Bina of the Movement for Governability and Democracy, while discussions regarding other potential candidates remain ongoing.

Delays and Internal Party Ultimatum

Netanyahu's intensive consultations, which began last night and continued into the early hours of the morning, resumed today as various options are being re-evaluated. Due to these deliberations and delays, a festive press conference scheduled to take place at the Orient Hotel in Jerusalem to present the candidates has been postponed until tomorrow afternoon, with sources indicating it may be canceled entirely.

Meanwhile, internal pressure on the Prime Minister has escalated dramatically. The Likud Party Court has issued an ultimatum, demanding that Netanyahu publish the final list of reserved candidates by 9:00 PM tonight. If the names are not released by the deadline, it could trigger a secret ballot within the party secretariat, a development that would significantly challenge Netanyahu's control over the list.

A Growing List of Rejections

These recent developments follow a string of rejections from prominent public and security figures whom Netanyahu attempted to recruit for the Likud list. Among those who have turned down his offers are: