Israeli Lawmaker Tali Gottlieb to Run on Ben-Gvir's Party Ticket

Member of Knesset Tali Gottlieb has reached an agreement with the Likud party to run in the upcoming 26th Knesset elections on the "Otzma Yehudit" (Jewish Power) slate, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Under the deal, Gottlieb will not be declared a defector from Likud, allowing her to run with another party without facing parliamentary sanctions, such as being barred from running in future elections.

As part of the agreement, Gottlieb will remain bound by Likud's party discipline, voting with the party in the Knesset plenum and committees until the current Knesset's term concludes. The Likud party issued a brief statement wishing Gottlieb success.

Political analysts suggest this move benefits both sides. It aims to bolster the ideological right-wing of Otzma Yehudit to maximize votes for that bloc, while also assisting Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu in potentially appealing to more moderate center-right voters in the upcoming elections.

In recent days, Gottlieb had expressed loyalty to Likud and Netanyahu while demanding the 12th spot on the party's list and threatening to move to another party. She had publicly stated that if she received a "realistic offer" from a party that respected her "electoral power" and her potential to serve as a "minister in a significant role," she would consider it seriously on behalf of her voters.

Gottlieb had also voiced disappointment with Netanyahu and his circle, accusing them of deliberately undermining her in the Likud primaries. She claimed Netanyahu's advisors pushed for her exclusion, preventing her from being considered for ministerial positions like Justice Minister or Chair of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee. She alleged that the Likud campaign was actively working against her and avoiding key issues like curbing the power of the judiciary and the "rule of officials."