Ben Gvir Offers Tally Gotliv Guaranteed Spot on Otzma Yehudit Slate
Itamar Ben Gvir, the Chairman of Otzma Yehudit and National Security Minister, has reportedly extended an offer to MK Tally Gotliv to leave the Likud party and join his ranks with a guaranteed position on the Knesset slate. This development was reported by i24NEWS on Monday evening. Ben Gvir has allegedly approached Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, requesting that he not obstruct Gotliv's potential departure from Likud. However, Gotliv has made it clear that she plans to stay with Likud and focus on strengthening the party's position.
The motivations behind Ben Gvir's offer seem to center on his desire to recruit a prominent figure known for a strong anti-judicial stance, akin to Simcha Rothman. In response to the report, Ben Gvir expressed his high regard for Gotliv, recommending that Likud members support her in the upcoming primaries. He emphasized that her support within Likud is solid and that any attempts to undermine her would be ineffective.
The Likud party has responded to the claims, stating that there is "absolutely no truth" to the allegations regarding Gotliv's potential departure. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Likud Central Committee Chairman Haim Katz have been working on agreements concerning the framework for the upcoming primaries and the allocation of guaranteed spots on the party slate.
Under the proposed agreement, Netanyahu is expected to receive eight discretionary slots within the top 25 positions on the slate, along with two additional placements up to the 40th position. Furthermore, there are discussions about forming an organizing committee to ensure that most incumbent MKs retain their positions. Female MKs will also have the option to run in regional districts to enhance their placement on the list. The finalized proposal is set to be voted on by Likud’s governing bodies next week.
Last month, Netanyahu suggested a controversial plan to bypass the primaries as a one-time measure, allowing the Likud Secretariat to select the slate. This proposal faced significant opposition from both lawmakers and party activists. The Likud legislative primary elections are scheduled for August 4, and preparations are underway to ensure a smooth process.
