Likud MK Tali Gottlieb Expected to Leave Party for Ben-Gvir's Faction

Member of Knesset Tali Gottlieb is reportedly on the verge of leaving the Likud party, with sources indicating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not contest her departure. The move comes amid a severe escalation in the conflict between Gottlieb and Netanyahu. Senior Likud officials told Channel 14 that the party is increasingly understanding that there is no point in fighting for Gottlieb's continued membership.

If Gottlieb moves to Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party, Likud reportedly intends to facilitate the transition without declaring her a defector or demanding the return of her allocated funding. This would pave the way for her to join Otzma Yehudit amicably.

The rift between Gottlieb and Netanyahu has intensified recently. Following the Likud primaries, Gottlieb accused elements close to the Prime Minister of working against her and claimed Netanyahu "stabbed her in the back." She also stated that Netanyahu "doesn't want me in Likud" and that his associates are working to sideline her.

Gottlieb has previously suggested she would consider offers from other parties if they respected her electoral strength and allowed her to contend for a senior position, though she stated no such offer had yet been made. The current situation marks a shift from before the primaries, when reports of Gottlieb potentially moving to Otzma Yehudit prompted an emergency discussion with Netanyahu.