National Security Minister Ben Gvir Reveals Likud Ministers Sought Spots on Otzma Yehudit List

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir disclosed in a radio interview on 103fm that at least four current ministers and five Likud Knesset members recently approached him requesting reserved slots on the Otzma Yehudit party list. These requests stem from concerns about losing in the upcoming Likud primaries, as the ministers and MKs see Otzma Yehudit gaining strength in the polls ahead of the elections. Ben Gvir confirmed the numbers but declined to name individuals, emphasizing the importance of fairness before the primaries.

Ben Gvir explained that some of the petitioners are personal friends, but he rejected their requests, stating that political lists are not about accommodating friends indiscriminately. He encouraged them to remain and compete within Likud, highlighting ideological differences between Likud and Otzma Yehudit. The interview also touched on Ben Gvir’s recent softer tone toward Likud members, which he justified as support for a stronger right-wing Likud list.

This revelation comes amid ongoing political tensions on the right, including a shelved campaign by Otzma Yehudit against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to negotiate a possible party merger. Meanwhile, Likud is internally debating the number of reserved slots Netanyahu should receive on the party list, with Netanyahu seeking eight reserved spots against competing proposals to limit them.

Ben Gvir’s comments shed light on the fluid dynamics between Otzma Yehudit and Likud ahead of the elections, illustrating both the rising influence of Otzma Yehudit and the strategic calculations of right-wing politicians facing primary challenges.