Knesset Member Tali Gottlieb to Run on Itamar Ben-Gvir's Party List

Knesset Member Tali Gottlieb will take the second position on the electoral slate of Otzma Yehudit, the party led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Gottlieb, who remains a member of the Likud party, will run on the Otzma Yehudit list under a legal arrangement that allows her to circumvent Israeli election law. Typically, lawmakers who leave their faction voluntarily forfeit their right to run for the Knesset with another party. By not formally severing ties with Likud, Gottlieb retains her eligibility, though she is obligated to vote with her original faction in parliamentary votes and committee meetings until the end of the current term.

Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir stated that Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf voluntarily relinquished his spot on the list to strengthen it. Ben-Gvir described the move as a step toward consolidating the right-wing bloc. He also commented on the selection process for the party's list, emphasizing that candidates are chosen based on personal merit rather than solely on personal relationships.

Gottlieb expressed warmth towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asserting that her move aims to bolster his parliamentary standing. She intends to continue her active political career with Otzma Yehudit. Gottlieb also addressed an ongoing investigation against her concerning allegations of leaking classified information, characterizing it as an attempt to silence independent voices.