Likud Says Next Government Will Include Current Coalition, Open to Other Zionist Parties

The Likud party spokesperson, Guy Levy, responded on Tuesday to criticism from Otzma Yehudit regarding Likud's election slogan. Levy clarified that the next government will be based on the current coalition but remains open to including additional Zionist parties that are "not extreme." He reassured that Itamar Ben-Gvir, the leader of Otzma Yehudit and a current minister, is not truly concerned by the slogan and understands its intended meaning.

Levy emphasized that Likud intends to maintain the existing coalition as the foundation for the upcoming government while not ruling out the addition of other parties. He also dismissed the idea of reciprocating political boycotts, stating, "There is no chance we will replace a boycott with another boycott." Levy suggested that Ben-Gvir's attack on the slogan is driven by election campaign needs.

This response followed Otzma Yehudit's claim that Likud's slogan indicates Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's intention to form a government with Gadi Eisenkot. Otzma Yehudit warned that a unity government including Eisenkot would undermine judicial reforms and represent a victory for political figures Gali Baharav-Miara and Yitzhak Amit.