Likud Lawmaker Threatens to Leave Party Over Election List Placement

Likud Knesset Member Tali Gottlieb stated on Tuesday, September 1st, that her consideration of joining Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party stems from concerns that Likud will not secure at least 19 Knesset seats. Gottlieb, who was placed 20th on Likud's primary list, fears losing parliamentary immunity and facing prosecution if the party performs poorly.

In an interview with Channel 14, Gottlieb asserted her value to Likud, saying, "I received the voters' trust, which means right-wing voters want to see me in the Knesset, as I am, and with my approach. I will continue this way. It's a shame, because I am a significant electoral force for Likud. I don't weaken, I strengthen the right."

When asked about remaining in Likud, she indicated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could meet her demand to be placed 12th on the party's list. Gottlieb claimed that if Likud falls short of 19 seats and she is left out of the Knesset, she "will end up in the Shin Bet's dungeons." She elaborated that she faces charges for protecting her sources, an action she took for the government's benefit, and felt abandoned by Netanyahu, who she said did not even vote for her immunity.

While Gottlieb was granted parliamentary immunity by the Knesset for the current term, she will need to seek it again for the next. Her 12th place ranking in the primaries was overridden by Netanyahu's reserved slots for appointees, pushing her to 20th.

On August 31st, Gottlieb posted on X that she had not yet received an offer from another party but would consider one that respected her electoral strength and potential for a ministerial role. Reports indicate a recent conversation between Gottlieb and Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir, who reportedly wants to place her in the top five of his list, possibly at the fourth position. Ben-Gvir stated he is awaiting Netanyahu's decision regarding Gottlieb before making any moves.

Gottlieb's increasingly sharp criticism of Netanyahu suggests that her departure from Likud, once unlikely, is now a possibility, with the Prime Minister seemingly prepared to let her go.