"Targeted elimination of Netanyahu": The drama behind Tally Gotliv's fall in the primaries

The political correspondent of "Maariv", Anna Barsky, spoke on Tuesday with Gadi Ness on Radio North 104.5FM about the results of the Likud primaries, addressing the achievement of Eli Cohen, the position of MK Tally Gotliv, and the efforts made, according to her, by the Prime Minister's circle to influence the list composition.

"A white night in the Likud," began Barsky. Regarding Eli Cohen's achievement, she said: "It is not surprising. Eli Cohen has proven himself for years as an impressive politician. The amount of calls he makes every day throughout the entire term with every prominent member of the Likud, and people who are not the most central, shows he is always there for them. I heard from many people that beyond being a senior Likud member and a government minister, he is an open and accessible address for many people who turn to him."

According to her, the continuous work with activists and members proved itself at the ballot box. "This is how a politician who values his position should behave. Even in this cruel race, Cohen's method proved itself. There is nothing like a connection to the base. This is the most important component."

"Tally Gotliv was under targeted elimination"

Later, Barsky addressed the position of MK Tally Gotliv, following reports of efforts by Benjamin Netanyahu's circle to prevent her from reaching the top of the list. "It depends on the angle of view. You can say that this is an impressive fall for Tally Gotliv. We saw polls that constantly put her in the top and predicted her first place in the Likud list. In the end, she is barely in the second ten. She was not included in any deal, and furthermore, she was simply under targeted elimination by Netanyahu's people and Netanyahu himself. She tells the truth."

Barsky noted that Gotliv is not the only one who managed to overcome internal maneuvers, mentioning MK David Bitan as well. "She is not alone. David Bitan also penetrated the deals and lists, which they were not part of, and managed to survive, each for his own reasons, despite the targeted elimination carried out against them by Netanyahu's circle and Netanyahu himself."

"A statement by Netanyahu is a word in the Likud"

According to Barsky, the messages that Netanyahu conveyed in the days preceding the primaries regarding Gotliv trickled down to some members who had supported her previously.

"I heard from very right-wing people in the Likud who until recently said that 'there is no one like Tally Gotliv' and that they want to place her in the highest place. Netanyahu expressed in recent days that this is a damage to the Likud and not a profit. In the end, this message penetrated. I heard from those same people, who were 'groupies' of Gotliv, that apparently Netanyahu knows something and it is not good for Gotliv to be at the head."

Barsky added that from this point of view, one can see the results as an achievement for Netanyahu as well: "A statement by Netanyahu is a word in the Likud. What he thinks, and his people, in the end the messages worked. It did affect the results. Despite all this, Tally Gotliv entered a realistic place. She achieved it honestly. And also David Bitan."

Later, Barsky addressed the ministers and MKs who failed to secure a realistic place, and the possible implications for the conduct of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Paranoia is an important component in a leader's character, as is known. And Netanyahu is characterized by this trait, and perhaps thanks to it he is the chairman of the Likud and the Prime Minister," she said.