Likud Considers Deal With Otzma Yehudit Amidst Internal Strife

The Likud party is reportedly exploring a potential agreement with Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party, aiming to de-escalate tensions with "Am Israel" party leader Yonatan Yosef Winter. The proposed arrangement, as reported by Channel 13 News, would involve the Likud ceasing its attacks on Winter and his party, while "Am Israel" and Otzma Yehudit would work towards signing a surplus vote agreement. The primary objective is to prevent the loss of votes within the right-wing bloc.

However, the deal remains far from finalized. While some of Prime Minister Netanyahu's advisors reportedly support the initiative, Netanyahu himself is said to be opposed to it at this stage. This consideration comes just days after a significant escalation in the conflict between the Likud and Winter.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Netanyahu had instructed the Likud to attack Winter and his associates, briefing senior party members to speak out against them. Winter responded forcefully at an activists' event in Rishon LeZion, stating, "You want to bring me down? We are strong as a fist." He further criticized harsh remarks made against him and his party members, noting that these comments, which included calls to "dismantle him," "bring him down," and "eliminate him," were not directed at Hamas leader Sinwar or Hezbollah leader Nasrallah, but rather at him and his colleagues by Likud ministers, Knesset members, or candidates who had recently sought to include him on their lists.