Itamar Ben Gvir Reveals Likud Ministers Sought to Join Otzma Yehudit Ahead of Primaries

Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's National Security Minister and leader of the Otzma Yehudit party, disclosed on Sunday that at least eight Likud Knesset members, including four current ministers, approached him seeking to be secured a spot on Otzma Yehudit's list. This move appears motivated by concerns over their standing within Likud just before the party's upcoming primaries. In an interview with Radio 103FM, Ben Gvir said, "Four sitting ministers and four Knesset members from Likud asked me to reserve spots for them," noting they were impressed by Otzma Yehudit's strong polling.

When asked why these politicians did not ultimately join his party, Ben Gvir responded that Otzma Yehudit and Likud are distinct entities, emphasizing his loyalty to his own party and wishing them success within Likud. He also criticized MK Almog Cohen, who left Otzma Yehudit to run in the Likud primaries with a shortened term granted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Ben Gvir said he had done Cohen a favor by not expelling him, calling Cohen a good MK but lamenting the transfer of his mandate to Likud.

Ben Gvir further recounted his insistence on placing Cohen in a realistic slot during negotiations to unite Otzma Yehudit with the Religious Zionist Party, despite opposition from Bezalel Smotrich, who preferred candidates wearing kippot. Ben Gvir highlighted that his parents do not wear kippot and described the negotiations as nearly collapsing over this issue. He expressed frustration that after fighting for Cohen's position, Cohen would take his mandate to Likud, calling such behavior inappropriate.