The Likud and Otzma Yehudit parties have reached an official agreement regarding the political transition of Member of Knesset Tally Gotliv. According to published details, Gotliv is expected to join the Otzma Yehudit list for the 26th Knesset elections, slated for a spot in the top five, likely the fourth position. This move comes against the backdrop of political tension and allegations made by Gotliv against the Likud leadership, as well as her ongoing criminal indictment.
The agreed arrangement between the parties prevents Gotliv from being declared a "defector" under the provisions of the Basic Law: The Knesset. Consequently, Gotliv will not be required to resign and will continue to serve as a sitting MK for Likud until the end of the 25th Knesset term. Within this framework, she will remain subject to Likud factional discipline in plenum and committee votes, and her funding unit will remain with her current party. Upon the official filing of lists for the next elections, she will be officially placed on the Otzma Yehudit list.
The legal connection to the move stems from an indictment filed against Gotliv for publishing classified information, an event that occurred after she disclosed the identity of a Shin Bet officer on social media. Gotliv expressed concern that without being elected to the 26th Knesset, she would lose her parliamentary immunity and be forced to face complex legal proceedings as a private citizen. The indictment proceedings against her were arranged after Minister of Defense Israel Katz signed a non-disclosure certificate required for the trial, at the request of the Shin Bet chief.
Likud noted that they wish Gotliv success in her new path. Conversely, the political establishment is currently examining the impact of this move on the future composition of the Likud list, as Gotliv’s departure is expected to clear a spot for another woman, which may affect internal disputes currently being litigated regarding primary results. Political sources estimated that Gotliv’s transfer to Otzma Yehudit could add mandates to Itamar Ben Gvir’s party in the next elections, according to internal polling analyses.
The move reflects a complex legal and political reality in which a public representative facing criminal proceedings seeks to secure her continued term and immunity. The practical significance for readers is that Gotliv will continue to fulfill her public role under the original Likud mandate until the end of the term, while her next race will be under a completely different political framework. The parties avoided using sanctions applicable to party defectors, thereby ensuring agreed political stability until the elections.