Likud MK Tally Gottlieb Nears Move to Ben Gvir's Otzma Yehudit Party

Significant progress has been made in talks between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Otzma Yehudit party leader, Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, regarding the potential transfer of Knesset Member Tally Gottlieb to Ben Gvir's party. Technical matters with the Elections Committee are now being addressed, indicating the move is advancing.

The development follows Ben Gvir's direct appeal to the Likud party and Netanyahu on Wednesday, where he presented a clear demand concerning Gottlieb's political future. According to reporter Amit Segal, the National Security Minister stated that if the Likud wishes to "release" Gottlieb, they should do so promptly. Ben Gvir emphasized the need to finalize this decision soon, as he is in the process of forming the Otzma Yehudit party list, warning that otherwise, he would have to inform candidates of their positions.

Earlier reports indicated advanced negotiations between Gottlieb and Ben Gvir. Reporter Daphna Liel stated that Ben Gvir is interested in adding Gottlieb to his party, but only after she officially leaves or withdraws from the Likud. Gottlieb herself acknowledged the possibility, telling Kan Reshet Bet radio that she would "be very happy to receive a good, concrete offer from Otzma Yehudit and will consider it very seriously."

Gottlieb, currently ranked 20th on the Likud's list, added that she owes it to her voters to carefully consider any concrete offer that would allow her to utilize her abilities. She noted that the Prime Minister is not obligated to her and is unlikely to appoint her to a ministerial position or chair an important committee.

With the recent advancements in negotiations between Netanyahu and Ben Gvir, the remaining steps involve resolving the technical aspects of the transfer with the Elections Committee.