Minister Golan Denies Reports of Talks with Ben Gvir Over Otzma Yehudit List

The office of Social Equality Minister May Golan has denied reports of negotiations regarding her inclusion on the Otzma Yehudit party's Knesset list. According to a statement released Monday, Otzma Yehudit chairman and Interior Minister Itamar Ben Gvir initiated contact with Golan and offered her a realistic spot on the party's slate for the 26th Knesset. The statement asserts that Golan refused the offer, emphasizing her commitment to the Likud party.

"Contrary to the publications and false briefings, no negotiations were held between the parties," the statement read. It further claimed that Ben Gvir approached Golan on his own initiative, offering her a realistic position on the Otzma Yehudit list, which she declined. Golan reportedly reiterated her deep respect and affection for Ben Gvir but affirmed that her path has always been with Likud, despite what she described as "false briefings" against her before the Likud primaries, intended to harm her.

Golan stressed her dedication to the approximately 19,000 Likud members who voted for her, vowing to continue advocating for the national camp and working towards a "true right-wing government." She also announced her intention to take a break from public life after 15 years of continuous public service, including seven years in the Knesset and her current role as a minister.

This development follows Golan's placement in an unrealistic position on the Likud's Knesset list after the party's primaries. Following those results, she issued a strong statement blaming "false spins and elimination lists" and accusing "briefers on behalf of the Prime Minister" of deciding she was "in the way."

The statement comes amid a turbulent period for right-wing parties. Ben Gvir recently revealed that MK Tal Gottlieb would be placed second on the Otzma Yehudit list, after Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf offered to relinquish his third-place spot to accommodate Gottlieb's move to second.