Likud primary on pace to exceed 2022 turnout, party spokesperson says

By Sam Sokol 17 August 2026, 5:51 pm

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Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

Likud primary voters circulate outside the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, August 17, 2026. (Sam Sokol/Times of Israel)

As of 4:30 p.m., 26.44 percent of Likud voters have cast ballots at 107 polling stations in the governing party’s primary, 1.4% higher than in the last primary in 2022, a Likud spokesman announces.

According to the Israel Democracy Institute, turnout in the three most recent Likud primaries averaged approximately 57% at the end of day.

Many fewer spots on the party’s slate are open to those running this time around, because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been granted the ability to choose a larger number of candidates. The party is also projected to win fewer than 25 seats, as opposed to the 32 it currently holds.

Polls close at 9 p.m.