Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may reserve a slot on the Likud’s list for his son Yair, former prime ministerial spokesman Nir Hefetz predicted during an interview with 103FM on Wednesday.
Hefetz made the prediction as Netanyahu considers how to use his reserved spots on the Likud slate following the party's primaries.
Could Yair Netanyahu receive a reserved Likud slot?
"In my opinion, Benjamin Netanyahu, as is his habit, will throw the baby out with the bathwater," Hefetz said when asked about future reserved spots on the Likud slate.
"This is a guess. Somewhere around the 15th spot, you will see a very, very 'attractive' figure whose name also happens to be Netanyahu. Let's see if I'm right. Incidentally, I hope I'm not."
When asked whether he believed Netanyahu would reserve a spot for his son, a possibility that has previously drawn opposition among Likud members, Hefetz replied that it would depend on whether his wife, Sara, wanted Yair on the list.
“I haven't been in contact with [Sara] for many years, but I believe so. I could also be wrong; you know who prophecy was given to."
Hefetz says Likud slate will not attract undecided voters
Hefetz referred to the results of the Likud primaries as “the lesser of the evils" when considering the full pool of candidates.
"The bigger question is whether the list is actually feasible, and whether it’ll get him the results he needs on Election Day," Netanyahu's former spokesman said. "I am certain the answer is no."
"This list certainly doesn't help him. You can debate whether it hurts him or not."
Hefetz argued that the coming election would center far more on Netanyahu himself than on the individual ranking of Likud candidates.
"If there were democratic elections in Russia now, what would be the main question being discussed? Continuing the war with Ukraine and Putin, yes or no. In the State of Israel, which has also had a very strong leader for 17 years, the issue we are going into the election over is Benjamin Netanyahu, yes or no."
For that reason, he said, the makeup of the slate itself is not particularly relevant to voters.
"It isn't whether Amir Ohana is in second place or whether Nir Barkat has been pushed to the back of the list. This list certainly doesn't help him. You can debate whether it hurts him or not."
Hefetz added that he was also unimpressed by the slate's ability to appeal to voters in the political center, including those considering Chili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel.
"I believe there are no people on this list who appeal to or attract undecided voters. Those who moved toward Chili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel, or those sitting in the middle on the fence, are not people considering voting for Gilad Erdan. Almost everyone on this list speaks to those who are going to vote for Netanyahu anyway, no matter what."