Otzma Yehudit MK Denies 'Calm Down' Talks with Netanyahu

Member of Knesset Tali Gottlieb of the Otzma Yehudit party vehemently attacked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's circle in a Friday interview, denying reports of a "calm down" conversation with herself and Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Gottlieb stated that the Likud party is under pressure due to right-wing voters shifting to Otzma Yehudit. "Tali Gottlieb will not be a partner to your lies," she declared, asserting that no such calming conversation took place. She added that Ben-Gvir has not spoken with Netanyahu for weeks.

Gottlieb further claimed that without Otzma Yehudit, Netanyahu would seek a coalition with centrist parties. "If you want a right-wing government, you need Otzma Yehudit with 15 mandates. Otherwise, the Prime Minister will simply go with [Benny] Gantz," she asserted, referencing a potential coalition partner. She suggested Netanyahu's preference, as he reportedly communicates to foreign media, is to govern without Otzma Yehudit.

Regarding the disqualification of Sami Abu Shehadeh's candidacy, Gottlieb argued that a "life-loving, democracy-cherishing nation" must disqualify him for denying Israel's existence as a Jewish state and supporting armed struggle. She believes he should have his citizenship revoked for betraying Israel but certainly not serve in the Knesset.

Gottlieb also defended Ben-Gvir's campaign promoting gun ownership, specifically addressing the distribution of gun-shaped keychains to high school students. She argued that these students are soon to join the army as combat soldiers and that widespread civilian gun ownership for self-defense serves as deterrence. She praised Ben-Gvir for changing a policy that previously limited gun access to a few individuals, advocating for hundreds of thousands of Israelis to carry weapons for self-defense.