Netanyahu Unveils Likud Reserve Candidates Ahead of Knesset Deadline

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a statement in Jerusalem on Tuesday, just hours before the midnight deadline for submitting candidate lists for the 26th Knesset, introducing new reserved slot candidates for the Likud party.

"We are on the eve of fateful elections for the future of our country. This is either a national and strong government or a narrow left-wing government with the Arab parties," Netanyahu declared at the outset of his remarks. The prime minister added that Israel has "changed the face of the Middle East" and "crushed the Iranian axis," emphasizing that one critical task remains: "to defeat the Iranian regime. It will fall. Who will do it? Us, who fought, or [Gadi] Eisenkot, who asked to surrender and leave Gaza?"

New Additions and Reserved Slots

Detailing the Likud list, Netanyahu stated, "In addition to the excellent list, I am bringing a significant addition. There are also those here who will take up an official position." He presented the newly reserved candidates and concluded: "This is an infusion of strength that was chosen, and I am very proud of this strength and the fresh addition of power. I think we are on the way to a great victory.

Earlier on Tuesday, Netanyahu announced six new reserved candidates for Likud:

1. Elisha Madan, a reservist combat soldier and founder of the community of Avigail in the Hebron Hills, who was severely wounded during combat operations in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip.

2. Talik Goiyali, mother of Staff Sgt. Rany Goiyali, the last fallen captive whose body was recovered from the Gaza Strip.

3. Adv. David Peter, a researcher at the Kohelet Policy Forum who represented the government in the Supreme Court.

4. Brig. Gen. (res.) Amir Avivi, chairman of the Israel Defense and Security Forum (Habithonim).

5. Eli Goldschmidt, former chairman of the Labor Party faction and a former MK.

6. Yaakov Bardugo, a prominent media figure and close associate of the prime minister.

7. Itzik Bunzel, father of Amit Bunzel, who fell in the Iron Swords war.

Secretariat Approval and List Placement

During the afternoon hours, the Likud Secretariat approved the prime minister's reserved appointments. Talik Goiyali was placed in the 9th slot, Yaakov Bardugo in the 11th, Elisha Madan in the 15th, David Peter in the 16th, Eli Goldschmidt in the 26th, Itzik Bunzel in the 29th, and Amir Avivi was initially slotted at 35.

Following this placement, Amir Avivi relinquished his spot on the list, and Prime Minister Netanyahu announced during the Likud Secretariat meeting that Avivi "will serve as an external minister." Netanyahu ignored a demand by the party tribunal and published the reserved slots only late in the morning. He also bypassed a requirement to hold a secret ballot on approving the appointments, proceeding instead with an open vote.

The official candidate submission process concludes late Tuesday evening, following the formal deadline. The process began Monday at the Knesset under the supervision of Central Election Committee Chairman and Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg. At the conclusion of the first day, the Central Election Committee reported that 18 candidate lists had been submitted, clarifying that submission does not constitute formal approval and that all lists, names, and ballot acronyms remain subject to statutory review by the committee.