The recent Likud primary election saw a notable increase in participation from Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) voters. While some Likud candidates have welcomed the support as a necessary boost for their campaigns, the trend has caused concern among other party activists. These critics argue that the Haredi community acts as a 'foreign body' within the party, potentially skewing the selection of candidates to better suit their interests rather than those of the traditional Likud base.

The core of the tension lies in the uncertainty regarding whether these voters will remain loyal to Likud during the upcoming general election. Some party members fear that the Haredi turnout in the primary is a strategic move to influence the candidate list, rather than a sign of long-term commitment to the party's broader platform. Conversely, candidates who benefited from this surge in turnout emphasize the importance of securing votes from any available source to ensure a strong showing for the party. The Times of Israel reports that this dynamic has created a divide between those prioritizing ideological purity and those focused on electoral pragmatism.