Netanyahu Denies Secret Deal Over Judicial Reform

The Likud party vehemently denied allegations made by Knesset Member Tally Gottlieb, who claimed in leaked recordings from a private event that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pursuing a secret deal. According to Gottlieb's recordings, Netanyahu would receive a pardon in exchange for abandoning the government's controversial judicial reform.

In a sharp response, the Likud party stated, "Regarding MK Gottlieb's claim that there is a hidden plea deal, this is, of course, an absolute lie with no basis whatsoever." The party's statement came after Channel 12 News broadcast exclusive recordings of Gottlieb speaking at a closed event the previous day.

In the recordings, Gottlieb was heard criticizing Netanyahu regarding the judicial reform and suggesting his legal troubles are influencing his actions. "It's not for nothing that the Prime Minister is trying to push me down the list; he knows my position is high on this list because I want to be Justice Minister, but he has a deal in his hand," Gottlieb stated. She further elaborated, "Mark my words, the Prime Minister will receive a pardon, provided there is no judicial reform, and provided there is no, not even the slightest, interference with the Supreme Court justices and their powers. This is the painful truth."

The report also indicated that Netanyahu had identified Gottlieb as a potential problem for him in upcoming elections and had attempted to relegate her to a lower position on the Likud party list. This effort was only partially successful, as Gottlieb still holds a realistically viable spot for the next Knesset elections. Following the leak, Likud chose to directly address Gottlieb's central accusation, completely refuting the existence of any hidden deal and labeling it a "complete lie without any basis."