Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Plummets to Likuds 35th Slot
Innovation Minister Gila Gamliel was pushed to 35th on the Likud Knesset list by MK Eti Attiya after a disputed ballot recount in Be'er Ya'akov.
Jerusalem, 30 August, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Likud party published the final results of its primaries, pushing Innovation, Science and Technology Minister Gila Gamliel down to the 35th, unrealistic spot on the Knesset list.
MK Eti Attiya took Gamliel’s previous 25th spot, reserved for the third woman on the list, after a recount of disputed ballots in Be’er Ya’akov, a town near Rishon LeZion. Attiya received 22,210 votes, while Gamliel received 21,754 votes.
The recount sparked a political fight, as Gamliel’s husband, criminal defense attorney Hovav Demri, filed a police complaint alleging fraud and vote manipulation.
Gamliel also attacked Minister Haim Katz, Attiya’s political ally, and Likud CEO David Sharan, saying, “I will not let Haim Katz steal my election.”
The final results also moved MK Moshe Saada up to 10th place and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi to 15th.
The Likud party currently has 31 Knesset mandates, however, public opinion surveys predict it would win anywhere between 21 and 31 mandates.