Likud primaries seen as opening Netanyahu succession race

Enemy media: An Israeli newspaper said the Likud primaries, set for next Monday, are expected to launch the succession battle over Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership of the party. It said the primaries amount to about half the election because of reserved slots, and that the real race for the leadership will begin after the slate is finalized in early September. It added that the contenders will include whoever tops the slate, Defense Minister Katz, and Foreign Minister Sa’ar, along with figures for whom Netanyahu has reserved slots in the top ten, noting that the issue has caused an uproar. The paper also said Likud is likely to have a new chairman by the 27th Knesset election, whether Netanyahu is reelected or loses.