Minister May Golan Criticizes Likud Leadership After Primary Defeat, May Join Otzma Yehudit

Following her defeat in the Likud primaries, Social Equality and Women's Advancement Minister May Golan expressed gratitude to her supporters while sharply criticizing what she called "false spins, hit lists, and briefings from the Prime Minister's office." Golan claimed these efforts aimed to exclude a right-wing, opinionated woman from the party. She finished 23rd on the Likud national list, a position considered unrealistic for securing a Knesset seat, especially after reserved spots promised to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and female representatives.

Golan's strained relations within Likud have fueled speculation she might join Otzma Yehudit, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, with whom she reportedly maintains a close working relationship. During the current Knesset term, Golan and Ben-Gvir collaborated closely, including controversial budget reallocations from her ministry's Arab community programs.

Her tenure has been marred by investigations, including a probe into her office involving allegations of fraud, misuse of public funds, fictitious employment, and concealment of funding sources through nonprofits and government systems. Golan was summoned for questioning but did not appear. Additionally, her advisor's husband was recently sentenced to 13 months in prison after a drug lab was found during a raid linked to the "Med Gova" affair, which also involves Golan and her associates.

In her statement, Golan vowed to reveal more about the Prime Minister's office's role in undermining her and emphasized the support she received from genuine right-wing voters. With her current Likud ranking, she is unlikely to return to the Knesset unless she switches parties or circumstances change.