Itamar Ben Gvir Reveals Four Ministers and Four MKs from Likud Asked to Join His Party

Itamar Ben Gvir, leader of Otzma Yehudit, disclosed in a conversation with Barak Seri and Eli Ohana that four current ministers and four sitting MKs from the Likud party approached him seeking to join his faction ahead of the upcoming primaries. Ben Gvir attributed their interest to Otzma Yehudit's strong polling numbers, which impressed these senior Likud members.

However, Ben Gvir expressed disappointment over MK Almog Cohen's move in the opposite direction, from Otzma Yehudit to Likud. He recalled fighting hard to secure Cohen a realistic spot on the joint list with Religious Zionism led by Bezalel Smotrich, despite Smotrich's reluctance to include someone without a kippah. Ben Gvir criticized Cohen for taking his mandate and transferring it to Likud, calling it improper behavior.

Ben Gvir also commented on Defense Minister Israel Katz's decision to transfer policing authority over settlers in the West Bank's Samaria region from the IDF to the Israel Police's Judea and Samaria District. While praising Katz, Ben Gvir noted that police lack authority in Areas A and B and stressed the need for coordination with the military if the police are to assume these powers.

Regarding a recent controversial tweet on X (formerly Twitter) showing the arrest of Bedouin wedding participants, Ben Gvir said he did not delete the post and suspects it was removed by others. He defended the enforcement actions against Bedouin wedding disruptions in the Negev, emphasizing law enforcement regardless of the offenders' status.

Finally, Ben Gvir praised the police for their efforts in locating Mally and Liel Yahalomi in Argentina, highlighting the importance of thorough investigations even when criminal motives are uncertain. He expressed pride in the police and their leadership for their dedication to protecting Israeli citizens abroad.