The leadership primaries of the National Religious Party, Habayit Hayehudi, are likely to cause headaches for Benjamin Netanyahu as his former chief of staff, Naftali Bennett, was elected as the new party leader.
A re-energised NRP is bad news for the prime minister as many of the party’s traditional voters have drifted away to Likud and many could now return to the religious party. The NRP is a natural member of Likud-led coalitions but their improved electoral prospects will enhance Mr Bennett’s bargaining power.