Netanyahu Meets with MK Gottlieb to Mend Ties After Party Switch

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Knesset Member Tali Gottlieb on Monday in an effort to smooth over her departure from the Likud party to join the Otzma Yehudit faction ahead of the upcoming elections. The meeting, initiated by Netanyahu, aimed to conclude the affair amicably, following a public dispute where Gottlieb sharply criticized the Prime Minister.

The tension peaked last week when Gottlieb attacked Netanyahu after the Likud primaries, where she was placed 12th. She claimed Netanyahu had abandoned her after years of her supporting him, stating she had "laid on the line" for him, only for him to "stab her in the back." The Likud party decided not to contest Gottlieb's move to another party within the right-wing bloc.

Under the agreement, Gottlieb can run with Otzma Yehudit without it being considered a defection from Likud. She will maintain party discipline in Knesset votes until the elections. Otzma Yehudit Chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir announced Gottlieb would be placed second on his party's list, immediately after him, with Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf agreeing to move to third place.

Following the intense exchange and Gottlieb's decision to switch parties, Monday's meeting signaled an attempt to end the episode on better terms. Gottlieb later posted on X (formerly Twitter) that she was pleased to hear words of thanks and appreciation from Netanyahu for her work supporting the right-wing government. She stated she respects him and will always protect him, even when they disagree on methods.

Gottlieb also conveyed her commitment to continuing her political fight against "the tyranny of the officials," curbing the power of the Supreme Court, and bringing to justice those she deems "conspirators and malicious pursuers" against him and the entire right-wing camp. She described the meeting as ending on a positive note, with Netanyahu conveying thanks from his wife and son and wishing her success.