Itamar Ben Gvir Confirms Hadar Mukhtar Will Not Join Otzma Yehudit List for Upcoming Knesset

Itamar Ben Gvir, the leader of Otzma Yehudit, informed Hadar Mukhtar that she will not be placed on the party's candidate list for the upcoming Knesset elections. In their conversation, Ben Gvir expressed appreciation for Mukhtar but clarified that she will not join Otzma Yehudit at this stage. He encouraged her to use the coming period to familiarize herself with Knesset work, which he believes will prepare her for future public roles.

Mukhtar strongly denied any intention to join Otzma Yehudit, emphasizing her commitment to the Likud party. Her spokesperson stated that Mukhtar has no desire to be part of Ben Gvir's party or any other party besides Likud, and she aims to become a Knesset member representing Likud in due course.

This development follows Mukhtar's decision not to run in the Likud primaries after her request to shorten the party membership requirement period was denied by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite this setback, Mukhtar reaffirmed her support for Netanyahu and her intention to remain active within Likud. Her former spokesperson revealed that Mukhtar had worked for about two years preparing to run in the primaries and was disappointed by the denial. He also claimed that some Likud members and candidates orchestrated a campaign against her, including defamation efforts by rival candidates, Knesset members, and ministers.