Poll Shows Knesset Member Tali Gottlieb Moving to Otzma Yehudit, Weakening Likud

Knesset Member Tali Gottlieb is reportedly in final deliberations to switch from the Likud party to Otzma Yehudit, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Gottlieb, who secured the 20th spot on the Likud's primary list, alleges Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to sideline her, potentially preventing her re-election. Ben-Gvir has offered Gottlieb the fourth position on his party's slate.

A new poll released by Walla News indicates that if elections were held now, the Yishai party would lead with 24 seats, followed by Likud with 22. The poll projects the Joint List securing 8 seats and United Torah Judaism also with 8 seats. Otzma Yehudit is projected to receive 7 seats, and Shas 7 seats.

The survey further suggests that Gottlieb's move to Otzma Yehudit would boost the party to 8 seats. Consequently, Likud's seat count would drop to 21, and the Religious Zionism and Moshe Feiglin alliance would fall to 4 seats. Israel Beiteinu would gain a seat, reaching 10.

These shifts would increase the bloc of Zionist opposition parties to 59 seats, while the coalition parties would be reduced to 48. The poll also noted that eight parties, including the far-right Amcha Israel party led by Ofer Winter, might not pass the electoral threshold, collectively accounting for about 10% of the vote, equivalent to 12 seats.