Likud Member of Knesset Tally Gotliv is in the midst of a complex political and legal struggle that raises questions about her political future and the legal protections available to her. According to a Ynet report, Gotliv has expressed concern that if she remains outside the Knesset in the next elections, she will face criminal proceedings following an indictment filed against her for exposing the identity of a Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) agent. This indictment relates to the publication of details concerning the partner of protest activist Shikma Bressler.
Currently, Gotliv enjoys parliamentary immunity granted to her by the Knesset Committee and the Knesset plenum with the support of the coalition majority. However, the legal significance of this immunity is temporary. It exempts the MK from prosecution only for the duration of the current Knesset term. Should her term end without re-election, or if she is re-elected but fails to secure renewed protection from the Knesset Committee, her immunity will expire and the criminal process could proceed.
In interviews and social media posts, Gotliv has clarified that she views her 20th placement on the Likud list—despite her success in the primaries—as a move intended to weaken her. She has also claimed that the legal battle she has waged was done in isolation without assistance from the Prime Minister. Consequently, Gotliv is examining the possibility of defecting to the Otzma Yehudit party, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has expressed interest in adding her to the party list in a realistic spot within the top five.
Legally, switching parties could represent a significant shift in Gotliv's defense strategy. The request for immunity is a political-legal process occurring within the Knesset, and any change in party affiliation could affect the parliamentary support network required to extend said immunity. For her part, Gotliv has clarified that she is not prepared to remain in a situation where she is exposed to proceedings without political protection, which incentivizes her to seek political alternatives that would secure her position. As of now, the matter has not been finalized and Gotliv is awaiting developments, with the possibility of a political defection becoming more tangible than before.