After the primary votes are counted: Incumbent ministers and Knesset members found themselves off the list, while other candidates recorded surprising jumps.
Prime Minister and Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu responded today (Tuesday) for the first time to the results of the party's primaries, expressing satisfaction with the composition of the list chosen ahead of the elections.
The statement issued by the Likud stated: "Prime Minister and Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu is very pleased with the results of the Likud primaries and congratulates those who were selected for the list.
""The new Likud list reflects renewal and the integration of new forces at the top of the list. Together with the armored personnel carriers appointed by Prime Minister Netanyahu, who will further strengthen the list, the Likud team led by Netanyahu will lead to a great victory and the establishment of a broad national government immediately after the elections.".
""This is the only way to prevent a left-wing government of Eisenkot, Yair Golan, Lieberman and the Arab parties.".
""Prime Minister Netanyahu thanks the Likud functionaries who chose based on common sense and not deals.
""Prime Minister Netanyahu also greatly appreciates those who were unable to make it onto the list, thanks them for their contributions, and intends to involve them in efforts to ensure Likud's victory.".
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Minister Eli Cohen came in first place by a margin of more than 3,000 votes over Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, who came in second place.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin ranked third, Minister Miri Regev fourth, and coalition chairman MK Ofir Katz came in fifth place.
Minister Yoav Kish ranked sixth, followed by Minister Miki Zohar. Deputy Minister Almog Cohen, who ran for the first time in the party's primaries, came in eighth place - and his victory was a big surprise. The top ten is rounded out by Ministers Amichai Shikli and Dudi Amsalem.
One of the most notable surprises so far is the position of MK Tali Gottlieb, who is ranked only in 12th place - far from the predictions that gave her a place at the top of the list. Before her, MK Moshe Saada was ranked in 11th place.
The final results. Photo: Courtesy of the photographer, according to Section 27A
Minister Shlomo Kerei beat MK David Bitan at the last minute and came in 13th place, Bitan only came in 15th place. Bitan's disappointing result comes against the backdrop of the struggles that took place around him during the primaries, when according to the current picture, he is placed in an embarrassing place. MK Boaz Bismuth was ranked in 15th place.
He was followed by ministers Nir Barkat - who slipped from eighth place to the bottom of the list - Ze'ev Elkin, and Gila Gamliel.
At the same time, a number of ministers and senior Knesset members are outside of their actual positions, including Avi Dichter, Idit Silman, Mai Golan, Nissim Vaturi, Hanoch Milbitsky, Kati Sheetrit and Ariel Kellner.
The winners in the districts, where Netanyahu recorded success against David Bitan: Erez Tadmor defeated Shabtai Katash, Shlomo Lerner, Moshe Binyamin Peretz and Shuki Ohana.
On the other hand, in the new woman slot, Osnat Zohar and Dr. Ruth Cabasa Abramson, who were supported by Netanyahu, remained out, while the candidate supported by Bitan, Keren Atias, won.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin thanked Likud members for their trust in him, saying it was an expression of confidence in the path he is leading. "I will continue to act without fear," he said.
Levin called on members of the movement to unite ahead of the elections and ensure the victory of the Likud and the national camp.
Minister Shlomo Kari: "Thank God for all the goodness and thank you to the dear Likud members who voted for me.
""Briefings and slander from the right and left by vested interests who did not like the opening of the media market to competition, dealt a slight blow to the wing but did not move the determined and ideological Likud functionaries who embraced me all the way to the very respectable 13th place.
""Now we are all mobilizing for the victory of the Likud and the national camp in the general elections, with God's help. I embrace my friends who were unable to enter and who contributed greatly to the State of Israel, and I congratulate the winners. With God's help, we will do it and succeed.".
