Knesset Member Tally Gotliv Cleared to Join Otzma Yehudit Party

Tally Gotliv, a Member of Knesset (MK) formerly with the Likud party, has received approval to join Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party. The decision came on Thursday, September 3, 2026, following a significant legal ruling by Noam Solberg, Chairman of the Central Elections Committee and Supreme Court Justice. Solberg determined that a lawmaker transferring to a rival party with the consent of their original faction is not considered a defector and is not required to resign from the Knesset.

The core legal issue revolved around the status of a lawmaker wishing to run with a different party, given the strict penalties against defectors. Justice Solberg referenced the precedent set in the case of MK Eitan Ginzburg, ruling that explicit consent from the original faction alters the legal standing. According to the judge, if consent is present, the MK is not practically or legally leaving their faction.

Likud officially withdrew its prior objections to Gotliv's move, stating that external interference is unacceptable when an agreement exists between the lawmaker and the party. This resolution allows Gotliv's transition, following her previous dissatisfaction with her 20th position on Likud's final list and criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner circle.

For Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, this ruling represents a strategic advantage ahead of the submission of party lists for upcoming elections.