Eight Likud ministers, MKs, have asked to join Otzma Yehudit party, Itamar Ben-Gvir claims

Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir revealed on Sunday that eight ministers and lawmakers from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party had expressed interest in joining his right-wing Otzma Yehudit party ahead of the Likud primaries. Speaking during an interview with 103FM, Ben-Gvir confirmed that four current ministers and four Members of Knesset (MKs) had requested to switch parties, citing Otzma Yehudit’s growing popularity and strength. Ben-Gvir described the movement as a sign of confidence in his party’s prospects, noting that the individuals “saw Otzma’s polls” and were drawn to its political trajectory. He emphasized that while the majority of the defectors wished to align with Otzma Yehudit, there was one notable exception. Almog Cohen, an MK who remained loyal to Likud, was mentioned by Ben-Gvir as someone who stayed within the party despite the shifting allegiances. “Almog is in Likud,” he stated. “I did him a favor by not expelling him. He is the one who would have taken a mandate from one party to another. Almog is a good MK, and I wish him success.” The situation came amid ongoing discussions between Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit and Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionist Party to unite their electoral slates. During these negotiations, tensions arose over the placement of Almog Cohen on the merged list. Ben-Gvir recounted that Smotrich had initially resisted placing Cohen, who does not wear a kippah, on the party’s platform. “Smotrich didn’t want someone without a kippah,” Ben-Gvir explained. “I said: ‘It will not happen.’ My parents don’t wear kippahs. The negotiations almost blew up over it.” Ultimately, Ben-Gvir succeeded in securing a place for Cohen on the list, even though he ultimately chose to remain in Likud rather than transfer his mandate. In addition to addressing the internal shifts within Likud, Ben-Gvir has been actively promoting specific candidates within the party through a series of video endorsements. These videos, released ahead of the primaries, feature recommendations for ministers and MKs who he believes should receive support from Likud voters. Among those highlighted are Eli Cohen, May Golan, Ofir Katz, Amir Ohana, Idit Silman, Shlomo Karhi, Tally Gotliv, Nissim Vaturi, Sasson Guetta, and Osher Shekalim. In each video, Ben-Gvir encourages Likud members to cast their votes for these individuals, positioning himself as a strategic ally within the broader nationalist coalition. This strategy marks a departure from previous patterns, as Ben-Gvir leads a separate party, Otzma Yehudit, that operates independently of Likud yet competes for similar voter bases on Israel’s political right. By endorsing specific Likud figures, he appears to be attempting to build bridges and influence outcomes in a way that could benefit both his own party and the broader nationalist agenda. His actions suggest a calculated effort to strengthen alliances and consolidate support ahead of the upcoming election. As the Likud primaries approach, the dynamics within the party continue to evolve, with key figures considering realignments and strategic moves. The potential defections and endorsements highlight the fluid nature of Israeli politics, particularly among right-wing factions, where loyalty and alignment can shift rapidly based on perceived opportunities and ideological compatibility. With the race intensifying, the coming weeks will likely reveal further developments as candidates vie for positions and influence.