Minister Golan Claims She Refused Offer to Run on Jewish Power Party List
Social Equality Minister May Golan stated that she was offered a "realistic position" on the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party list but refused it. This comes after reports that Otzma Yehudit chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir decided not to offer Golan a reserved spot on the list. A statement released on Golan's behalf indicated that she "repeatedly clarified to Minister Ben-Gvir that she greatly appreciates and loves him, but the path of the Likud movement was and remains her path." The statement also alleged that "false briefings" were issued against her before the Likud primary elections with the intention of harming her.
Golan's remarks appear to be a response to reports suggesting she was sidelined by Ben-Gvir. By claiming she refused an offer, Golan seeks to frame her political future as a deliberate choice to remain with the Likud party, rather than an outcome of being excluded from Otzma Yehudit's slate.