Likud backs down after attempting to double candidate registration fees for party primaries

By Ariela Karmel

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9 July 2026, 7:55 pm

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Ariela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.

Candidate advertisements at Likud primaries in Rishon Lezion, August 10, 2022. (Carrie Keller-Lynn/Times of Israel)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party backtracks after briefly attempting to double registration fees for candidates in next month’s party primaries, in a move that would have violated party financing law, according to Hebrew media reports.

In a letter sent to prospective candidates earlier today, acting party director David Sharan informed incumbent ministers and MKs that the candidate registration fee had been doubled from NIS 10,000 ($3,310) to NIS 20,000 ($6,630), and fees for those running for slots on the list that are reserved for candidates from specific regions of the country were doubled from NIS 5,000 ($1,660) to NIS 10,000 ($3,310). New candidates were told they would have to pay NIS 15,000 ($4,975), up from NIS 10,000.

Such an increase violates the law governing party financing, which caps candidate registration fees at NIS 10,000. Violations of that law can carry fines of more than NIS 500,000 ($165,820).

Following immediate criticism, Likud issued a clarification rescinding the increase, stating simply: “Clarification regarding the registration fee for candidates: NIS 10,000.” That may indicate that the fees for regional spots will increase to that number.

The episode comes as the party prepares for its August 4 primaries, with internal tensions mounting over concerns that Netanyahu may attempt to cancel them and instead establish a selection committee to handpick the party’s slate for the coming national elections in a bid for greater control.