Otzma Yehudit Leader Awaits Netanyahu's Decision on MK Gottlieb's Potential Move

Otzma Yehudit party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir has stated he will not take any action regarding the potential move of Likud MK Tali Gottlieb to his party until Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a decision on the matter. This comes amid reports from Channel 14 suggesting that senior Likud officials believe Gottlieb's departure from the party is inevitable due to escalating rhetoric.

These Likud sources reportedly estimate that Netanyahu will not fight to keep Gottlieb in the party and will permit her move to Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit. Consequently, Likud is not expected to declare her a defector or seek the return of her funding. Ben-Gvir, however, is maintaining a stance of respect for the Prime Minister, choosing to avoid unilateral action while the situation remains unresolved by Netanyahu.

Gottlieb herself commented on the reports in an interview with Channel 14, expressing her feeling that the Prime Minister no longer wants her in the Likud. When asked about a potential move to Otzma Yehudit, she indicated that she would seriously consider a concrete offer. Gottlieb also claimed that the mechanism allowing her to leave Likud without being declared a defector was initiated by the Prime Minister. Nevertheless, she stated that the possibility of remaining in Likud still exists and demanded Netanyahu place her in the 12th position on the party list, reflecting her primary election results.

Currently, both sides appear to be awaiting Netanyahu's decision. Gottlieb has left the door open for a potential move, while Ben-Gvir is holding back from advancing any plans until the Prime Minister reaches a final decision regarding her political future.