Tally Gotliv Set to Join Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit Party

Negotiations between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir regarding the transfer of Likud Knesset member Tally Gotliv to the Otzma Yehudit party are entering their final stages, according to political correspondent Yishai Cohen.

Recent hours have seen significant progress in the talks, with sources indicating the matter is nearly finalized. Only what officials describe as "technical issues" remain to be resolved.

Likud officials have reportedly viewed the potential move favorably, with political analysts characterizing it as a "net gain for both parties." The remaining technical details involve consultations with the Central Elections Committee to determine how Gottlieb can be transferred to Otzma Yehudit without being formally declared a defector, provided Likud gives its consent. Likud chairman Noam Solberg has already given the green light for the move.

On Wednesday evening, Ben-Gvir delivered a clear message to senior Likud officials: if they genuinely intend to transfer Gotliv to Otzma Yehudit, they must swiftly complete the necessary technical and legal procedures. Otherwise, he made clear, the window of opportunity would close from his perspective.

Ben-Gvir indicated his intention to begin notifying Otzma Yehudit candidates as early as Thursday about their placement on the party's Knesset list, a step after which the arrangement could no longer be reversed. "If Likud truly wants to transfer Tally Gotliv to Otzma Yehudit, complete the required procedures today instead of empty media briefings," the minister conveyed. "Otherwise, the window closes for me. I'm starting to notify candidates about their list placement, and after that it will be too late."

The move now appears to be materializing and is on track to be implemented before the deadline for finalizing party lists.