Otzma's Dorfman: Unity government would mean paralysis

MK Chanamel Dorfman interviewed by Yossi Ben Attar (Srugim)

MK Chananel Dorfman of Otzma Yehudit, who made the journey from Ben Gvir's chief of staff and behind-the-scenes operator to the front of the political stage in the Knesset, sat down for a one-on-one interview at Srugim's Knesset desk with correspondent Yossi Ben Attar.

The Knesset gives more ability to influence

Asked about the transition from chief of staff to MK, he acknowledged the complexity: "There's no question that the move from chief of staff and behind the scenes to the front of the stage is a complex transition, and I'm learning it on the go. In the end, the Knesset gives a better and greater ability to influence things that matter to our voters."

He addressed the change in his appearance and the removal of his peyos, clarifying: "I have great appreciation for the hilltop youth and what's being done there, but personally I took down the peyos. What's really important is to use the position to influence and change as much as possible."

Responding to media reports on friction incidents in Judea and Samaria, he pushed back against campaigns targeting the settlement enterprise: "We are of course against breaking the law, and as the prime minister said, we're talking about a very small minority. The 'settler violence' campaign is an old campaign of the left that's been running for many years with the goal of delegitimising the settlement movement. The law must be upheld."

Dorfman also addressed the election results, in which Otzma Yehudit won seven mandates running independently, despite the Likud's "only Machal" campaign: "We expected more, but in the end the achievement is very significant. This is the first time we're running alone and we've become the second-largest party in the right-wing bloc." He closed with a political warning against forming a broad government: "I very much hope a unity government will not be formed, which is really a paralysis government."