Transportation Minister Miri Regev said on Tuesday that Likud will hold democratic primaries in which about 150,000 party members will choose the slate for the Knesset, and added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s voice will be heard in the process.
Speaking with Gideon Oko and Amichai Attali on the 103FM program Seven Nine, Regev (Likud) said that after several days of uncertainty, the party would hold primaries, with Netanyahu expected to receive reserved spots on the list, subject to the faction’s approval.
"I speak with the prime minister. At no stage did he tell me that he wanted a selection committee," Regev said. "It is true that several people came to him, including heads of local authorities, and recommended that he go for a selection committee at this time, but at no stage did he say he supported a selection committee. It was completely clear to me that we are going to the primaries. 150,000 Likud members will come on primary day to choose the best team."
Addressing the party chairman’s request for 10 reserved spots, Regev said the matter would be decided through joint discussion.
"In the end, Netanyahu brings us most of the votes. Of course, his opinion will be heard and will also be considered favorably. Can I tell you whether he will get 10 reserved spots or seven? In the end, the decision will be made through dialogue, but the prime minister will definitely get reserved spots, and this is not the first time."
When Oko asked about reports targeting MK Tally Gotliv and concerns about losing mandates, Regev said the decision rests solely with the movement's members.
"I am not entering into any campaign, I do not take polls, and I do not know the polls. We have excellent Knesset members and ministers among Likud members. Any lineup that Likud members choose, I will of course accept, because that is democracy."
Regev refuses to call out Gotliv for Shin Bet affair
Oko reminded the minister that Gotliv had previously spread conspiracy theories alleging that Shin Bet personnel had spoken with Yahya Sinwar on the morning of October 7, 2023, but Regev refused to attack her colleague in the faction.
"If Likud members choose her, of course, we will be proud of her. In the end, Likud members will choose the list, which is the parameter. I suggest you let everyone express their opinion, and the members will choose the best list for the Knesset."
On the security front, Regev, who is in the Security Cabinet, rejected claims of a diplomatic collapse on the northern front and stressed that the army is preserving sovereignty and neutralizing threats.
"We are deep inside Lebanon and operating in southern Lebanon," Regev said. "Just the day before yesterday, they found a tunnel and areas with weapons under the ground, which the IDF dealt with operationally. We are blowing up underground infrastructure that reaches the fence area, so I do not know what collapse people are talking about. The IDF has freedom of action in southern Lebanon, and every threat to IDF soldiers and the state’s citizens, the army knows and understands its mission to neutralize it."
Regev says Bennett is out of the loop on IDF
She also sharply criticized former prime minister Naftali Bennett over claims he made regarding the soldiers’ rules of engagement.
"I do not know what Bennett is saying. He says something, and the next day he charges ahead, says something else, and flips on what he said before. So with all due respect, Naftali Bennett is not involved; he does not know what is happening," she said.
In response to Attali’s remark that Bennett’s son is serving on active duty across the border, she said: "Even if he has a son in Lebanon, I am telling you that the IDF is operating in southern Lebanon."
Regarding the diplomatic talks the administration in Washington is conducting with Tehran, Regev stressed that Israel remains highly alert and stands by its red lines.
"We always need to be concerned and make sure that the cooperation between the United States and us is such that the interests of the State of Israel are reflected in it. I know about the many talks Prime Minister Netanyahu has had with US President Trump. Even in the last cabinet meeting, when he went out twice to speak with him, he told him clearly: ‘I am not doing things you would not do to defend the citizens of the United States,’" she recalled.
"Therefore, for us, the most important thing is to make sure that the interests of the State of Israel are protected. Iran will not become nuclear, and we will not retreat from the yellow line in Lebanon until we understand that Hezbollah is being disarmed."
At the end of the interview, the transportation minister described efforts to ease congestion at Israel’s main airport, which threatens to affect the summer flight schedule.
"I am very happy that after the pressure I exerted, we succeeded," she said. "Of the 75 planes there, 24 planes were moved, and that is excellent, which allowed us to continue managing civilian aviation. There are still many American planes at the airport, and we are working on it. Almost every day, we hold status calls with IDF officials, the defense minister, and the National Security Council, to make sure they simply move the refuelers, because in July and August, we need to manage civilian aviation."
Responding to the hosts’ claim that the foreign personnel are operating in the compound without regard for local needs, and citing a letter from the Airports Authority director-general published by Din Fischer on Channel 12 News, Regev reiterated her unequivocal demand to the security leadership.
"The Americans need to move the refueling planes out of Ben-Gurion Airport, whether to IAF bases or outside the State of Israel, so that we can manage civilian aviation. There is no other way, and I expect the defense minister and the Defense Ministry to do everything they need to do so that the American refuelers make room for civilian planes and foreign airlines."