Netanyahu Presses Katz as Likud Reserved-Slot Deal Nears

Fresh same-hour reporting says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went to Minister Haim Katz's home Monday morning to press Likud primary arrangements, with sources close to the talks saying the sides are moving toward agreement on how many reserved slots Netanyahu will receive. Netanyahu wants 10 slots in the top 30, while earlier reporting placed Katz and other party figures lower and put the working estimate at 8 slots. The Constitution Committee has already set Likud primaries for August 4 and voter-roll closure for July 7, keeping member primaries alive instead of a selection committee. The fight matters because Likud's list will shape the right-religious bloc, moderate-right outreach and coalition discipline before October's election.