Netanyahu Invites Ben Gvir and Smotrich to Unite, Otzma Yehudit Firmly Rejects

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reached out to ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, urging them to hold meetings on Sunday to discuss a joint run ahead of the upcoming elections. Netanyahu emphasized the importance of uniting to avoid wasting votes and to secure the right-wing bloc's success, tweeting, "We must unite to save the right-wing bloc!"

However, Otzma Yehudit, Ben Gvir's party, promptly rejected the proposal, stating unequivocally that they will not run together with the Religious Zionist Party led by Smotrich. The party declared this decision final and absolute, ruling out any negotiations or discussions on the matter, whether direct or indirect.

In response to Netanyahu's initiative, Otzma Yehudit proposed two alternative solutions to prevent vote loss within the right-wing camp: either a unification of the smaller right-wing parties or integrating Smotrich through the reserved slots Netanyahu received within the Likud party list. The party urged Netanyahu to pursue these realistic options to ensure a right-wing victory and the formation of a genuine right-wing government.