Likud's zigzag: Retracting the position against a "Behad" candidate to facilitate Gottlieb's transition
Discourse between Likud and Otzma Yehudit is intensifying, but a position submitted by Likud just two days ago against MK Ginsburg, who moved from Blue and White to Behad, could have thwarted the move. Likud had called for him to be declared a "defector MK," which would prevent him from running in the upcoming elections. Now they have retracted it.
Against the backdrop of discussions between Likud and Otzma Yehudit regarding the potential transition of MK Tali Gottlieb, Likud has exceptionally retracted a position they submitted to the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg. According to their original stance, an MK must resign from the Knesset upon switching factions. Gottlieb refused this move due to fears of losing her immunity from indictment.
Now, Likud is seeking to ensure she is not declared a "defector," as a defector MK cannot run in the upcoming elections with a party represented in the current Knesset. The issue arose when MK Eitan Ginsburg asked the Central Elections Committee whether he was required to resign after moving from Blue and White to the Behad party. Declaring him a defector could have prevented him from running, as Behad is considered an existing party due to its merger with Yesh Atid.
Knesset Legal Advisor Sagit Afik, along with the Blue and White and Yesh Atid factions, informed Judge Sohlberg that they do not consider Ginsburg's move a defection, citing an agreement between Ginsburg and Benny Gantz. However, Likud had previously argued that Ginsburg must resign before submitting candidate lists. As discussions regarding Gottlieb's move to Otzma Yehudit intensified, concerns grew that Likud's strict stance could be applied to her as well.
Consequently, Likud will now agree that Gottlieb will not be considered a defector and has exceptionally sent a letter to Sohlberg retracting their position regarding Ginsburg, stating there is no cause for intervention.
"I am waiting for the Prime Minister's decision on the Gottlieb issue. I will not take a single step before that," the Minister of National Security told Ynet yesterday.
Ben Gvir intends to offer Gottlieb a spot in the top five of Otzma Yehudit, likely the fourth place. Gottlieb recently sharpened her criticism of Benjamin Netanyahu, telling Kol Barama radio that the Prime Minister "stabbed me in the back." She claims that while she stood firmly for Netanyahu and the right-wing government, his inner circle is now working to push her aside to cultivate a more moderate image for Likud, particularly distancing the party from her vocal opposition to the High Court of Justice.
