Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is continuing negotiations with Likud Secretary Chaim Katz over the number of reserved slots he will receive on the party’s Knesset list ahead of next month’s primaries.

According to a report, Netanyahu and Katz met Monday in an effort to reach a compromise on the contentious issue, which has become one of the most divisive debates within the party.

A source familiar with the discussions said both sides are attempting to strike a balance between preserving the democratic nature of the primaries, bringing new faces into the party, and protecting veteran Likud lawmakers.

“Eight reserved spots is the minimum that was discussed,” the source said, adding that Netanyahu is seeking 11 reserved positions.

Last week, amid the ongoing dispute, Likud’s Constitution Committee approved August 4 as the date for the party’s primaries.

The disagreement has reportedly fueled significant tensions within the party. According to the report, Netanyahu believes several current Likud MKs have become electoral liabilities, including lawmakers facing criminal allegations or those whose public statements have alienated voters. Based on internal polling and research, Netanyahu has reportedly compiled a list of MKs he does not want included in the next Knesset slate.

The report also said Likud is considering reserving a spot for Menashe Zalka, with the proposal recently presented to Netanyahu for consideration.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)