Itamar Ben Gvir issued an ultimatum to senior Likud officials on Wednesday morning over the proposed transfer of MK Tali Gottliv to his Otzma Yehudit party.
Ben Gvir demanded that all formal steps required to complete the move be taken by the end of the day. The minister said he plans to begin notifying his party’s candidates of their positions on the Knesset list, a process that could make it difficult to make changes or cancel the move at a later stage.
The demand came amid claims by Otzma Yehudit that, despite instructions reportedly issued in the media, Likud has taken no practical steps to advance the legal and technical procedures required for Gottliv’s transfer. The party also claims that Likud has slowed efforts by various officials to facilitate the move.
Otzma Yehudit believes Likud’s conduct is aimed at prolonging negotiations in an effort to secure additional concessions. “The delays from Likud are closing the window of opportunities and canceling the possibility," a party source said.
At the same time, Otzma Yehudit believes that the ongoing tensions between Gottliv and Likud could benefit the party even if Gottliv ultimately does not join its Knesset list. Gottliv has previously indicated that she would consider moving to another political framework if she received an offer that reflected her standing and political influence.
“I have sacrificed myself for the prime minister and the right-wing government," Gottliv wrote on social media. She said that if a party offered a substantive arrangement that respected her voters and enabled her to seek a significant ministerial position, she would seriously consider it on their behalf.