Netanyahu's Son Slams Likud Lawmaker Amid Party Strife

Yair Netanyahu, son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has launched a scathing attack on Likud MK Tally Gotliv, escalating internal tensions within the ruling party. The public spat comes as Gotliv has threatened to leave Likud, claiming she is being pushed out and has sided with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in political disputes.

Yair Netanyahu accused Gotliv of contradicting her party leader's stance, supporting another party leader who has attacked his father, and fabricating lies about the Prime Minister. He pointed to her public statements about being open to offers from other parties, questioning her claim of being forced out. Netanyahu also criticized her legislative record, stating she had passed no legislation against the "deep state" and alleging she caused a "fiasco" in the Judicial Selection Committee, which he claimed led to the "disaster" of Isaac Amit's appointment as Supreme Court Justice.

The conflict follows a series of public confrontations between Gotliv and the Likud leadership. Gotliv secured the 12th spot among Likud delegates in the party's primaries, but due to reserved spots for district representatives and prime ministerial appointments, she was relegated to 20th place, which she views as a targeted move by Netanyahu's inner circle.

Gotliv recently intensified her criticism, attacking Netanyahu's campaign staff and alleging he planned to accept a plea deal or pardon in exchange for abandoning the judicial reform. Likud dismissed her claims as "a complete lie with no basis whatsoever." Gotliv demanded the 12th spot and threatened to reconsider her political future if her demand was not met.

Adding to the friction, Gotliv publicly supported Itamar Ben-Gvir's refusal to unite with the Religious Zionism party, a stance that drew sharp criticism from Yair Netanyahu. Reports also emerged of advanced negotiations for Gotliv to join Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party, contingent on her official departure or suspension from the Likud faction. Yair Netanyahu also referenced Gotliv's controversial run in June 2023 as a coalition representative on the Judicial Selection Committee, which he claims disrupted the political consensus and led to the appointment of opposition MK Karin Elharrar and subsequently Justice Amit.