Middle Israel: Netanyahu's Likud list for the Israeli election highlights PM's cowardice - opinion

The primary election for Israel's ruling Likud party on Monday saw the removal of several unfit lawmakers, with Nissim Vaturi being the least significant one. Vaturi made absurd statements during his time in parliament, including claims that protesters during the judicial coup were sent by Hamas and that a military general aided Hamas on October 7. Despite these issues, Vaturi was pushed to slot 43, indicating strong disapproval from Likud voters.

Idit Silman, the outgoing environment minister, was pushed down to slot 37 after a controversial defection from the Bennett coalition. Her sole claim to fame was her defection, which is likely to be remembered as the turning point that led to the current government's four-year record. Silman, known for her self-focused campaign, is not considered a loss to Likud or the political system.

Likud's candidate list for the Israeli election exhibits a clear preference for cowardice over heroism. Gideon Saar, the Foreign Minister, and Israel Katz, the Defense Minister, both avoided the primaries and were instead placed in reserved slots. Saar's political treason is second only to Delilah's betrayal of Samson, while Katz remains in the position he holds due to his loyalty to Netanyahu. Interior Minister Haim Katz also avoided the primaries, mirroring the cowardice displayed by Saar and Katz.

Economics Minister Nir Barkat narrowly survived the primaries after trying to have Netanyahu removed from office following the October 7 Hamas attack. Barkat's decision to not make his disapproval of Netanyahu public further underscores his cowardice. The writer, a Hartman Institute fellow, argues that these candidates, including Saar, Katz, and Barkat, represent Netanyahu's political successors, portraying him as the "coward-in-chief."