Otzma Yehudit Slams Netanyahu's Circle Over "False" Government Inclusion Claims

Member of Knesset Tali Gottlieb, who recently switched to the Otzma Yehudit party, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's circle on Tuesday of spreading a "false briefing" regarding the possibility of Otzma Yehudit joining the next government. Gottlieb stated that contrary to reports, Netanyahu did not speak with Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir to "reassure" him about inclusion, calling the briefing a "lie." She suggested the prime minister's circle was "alarmed" by public support for Otzma Yehudit and the perception that only the party, with 15 Knesset seats, could lead a right-wing government.

Otzma Yehudit echoed Gottlieb's sentiments, criticizing the Prime Minister's Bureau's alleged "method" of "disrespecting" the right-wing public. The party pointed to perceived contradictory messages, such as signaling to other countries that Ben-Gvir would not be in the next government while simultaneously issuing statements to the contrary. They also claimed Netanyahu desires former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot in his government instead of Ben-Gvir, noting that neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot denied this.

The Likud party responded to the accusations, reiterating that Netanyahu intends to form the next government based on the "existing parties of the national camp." They advised Ben-Gvir to focus on preventing a "left-wing government" led by Eisenkot, Yair Golan, Avigdor Lieberman, and Arab parties, rather than attacking the Likud.

Gottlieb had previously stated in an interview that Netanyahu deliberately placed her at the 20th spot on the Likud list because he did not intend to enact judicial reform.