Likud Pushes for Right-Wing Unity Amidst Ben-Gvir's Refusal

Despite a firm refusal from Otzma Yehudit chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir to negotiate a joint run with the Religious Zionism party, the Likud party is continuing its efforts to unite the right-wing factions. A source involved in the negotiations told Walla that Ben-Gvir's declaration that the possibility is off the table is not final, stating, "He can say he's cut off, we are still making efforts. In the end, we will reach him."

The Likud's pressure on Ben-Gvir is driven by concerns over losing votes in the right-wing bloc if Religious Zionism fails to pass the electoral threshold. The source explained, "No one is trying to diminish him. They are trying to prevent a situation like what happened with Meretz, a party that fell below the electoral threshold in the previous elections, and because of that, the entire left bloc lost its majority."

Adding to the complexity is the entry of Ofer Winter into the political arena, raising fears within the Likud of further vote fragmentation on the right. The Likud believes that while Winter is currently difficult to influence, Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Likud have more leverage over Ben-Gvir. "There is no control over Winter. There is more control over Ben-Gvir than there is over Winter," the source said.

The Likud estimates that even though Ben-Gvir is currently rejecting a joint run, the pressure may intensify as polls emerge showing the electoral cost of a right-wing split. "When he starts to see that it's hurting him in mandates, he will start to move," the source predicted.