Edelstein readying challenge for Likud leadership

Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu’s No. 2 in Likud, Yuli Edelstein, is willing to run in a Likud primary against the former prime minister, provided there is enough time for a serious challenge, he said in closed conversations.

In the past, Netanyahu has moved up Likud leadership primaries to the earliest date possible to catch his potential competitors off guard. Edelstein said he would not run if Netanyahu called for a primary in a few weeks, but he will if it takes place after the High Holy Days and Sukkot at the end of September.

Edelstein, a former health minister and Knesset speaker, has acknowledged that it would be difficult to defeat Netanyahu, who beat Gideon Sa’ar 72.5% to 27.5% in the last Likud primary in December 2019.

But Edelstein does not believe he would lose anything by running. He does not believe Netanyahu would willingly leave his post, and he is concerned that under the former prime minister’s leadership, the Likud will not be able to return to power.

Edelstein and other top figures in Likud have privately expressed outrage that Netanyahu did not publicly offer a rotation as prime minister to a candidate in Likud, which he did for leaders of other parties: New Hope’s Sa’ar, Yamina leader Naftali Bennett and Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz.

Sources close to Netanyahu said he would be willing to face any challenger in Likud at any time. But they said there is strong opposition to advancing the primary, which is set to be held just ahead of the next Knesset election.

All potential Likud leadership candidates except for Edelstein want the primary held as late as possible because Netanyahu is too strong, and if his corruption trial progresses, he could be weaker. The Likud will be holding a membership drive in the months ahead to replenish the party’s funds, which have been exhausted by four Knesset races.

Netanyahu and Edelstein spent hours sitting next to each other in the Knesset plenum Monday night during the Likud’s filibuster that ended at 4 a.m. The party’s Twitter account boasted that Netanyahu remained in the Knesset plenum the entire time.

The Likud’s Twitter account publicly shamed three MKs for absenting themselves without permission: Ofir Akunis, Fateen Mulla and Miri Regev. The account said further absences would be monitored and announced.

Meanwhile, Yamina MK Abir Kara met with Bennett in an effort to receive as many responsibilities as possible in the post he will receive as a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Office. His push for more power has held up the appointments of all deputy ministers who will serve in the new government.