MK Tali Gottlieb Publicly Denounces Yaniv Meged Over False Claims of Party Defection

Likud MK Tali Gottlieb sharply criticized media personality Yaniv Meged following his Telegram channel report alleging an emergency meeting in Prime Minister Netanyahu's office. The report claimed discussions were held about Gottlieb and Minister May Golan potentially defecting to the Otzma Yehudit party led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, raising concerns about losing Likud mandates. Gottlieb vehemently denied the allegations, calling Meged's report "blatant lies" and stating Netanyahu was not holding any such meeting. She emphasized her loyalty to Likud and the right-wing camp, asserting her electoral value and dismissing Meged's accusations as baseless and politically motivated. Gottlieb also accused Meged of being an accomplice to Ronen Bar and Dedi Barnea, whom she blamed for obscuring the truth about the October events. She concluded with a sharp personal rebuke, saying, "The God you believe in no longer believes in you." Meged's original report cited sources close to Netanyahu claiming the meeting discussed worrying poll data showing Gottlieb and Golan's potential to cost Likud 2-3 mandates, and alleged that Netanyahu's allies were working to remove them from party lists despite his instructions not to interfere.