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

Eight Likud ministers and members of Knesset have expressed interest in joining Otzma Yehudit, according to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. As reported by 103FM, these individuals view Otzma's polling success and wish to align themselves with the party. However, Ben-Gvir had a more tempered reaction to the news of MK Almog Cohen's potential switch.

He stated that he did Cohen a favor by not expelling him from his current position, praising him as a "good MK" and expressing his wish for his success. Ben-Gvir insisted on placing Cohen in a realistic position on the list during negotiations to unite his slate with Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party, but the negotiations nearly deteriorated over this issue.

Following the negotiations, Ben-Gvir was recorded expressing support for and recommending Likud primary candidates in a series of videos. Among the recommended candidates is Cohen, among others. It is significant that Ben-Gvir, who leads Otzma Yehudit, is now identifying individuals within Likud whom he believes should be strengthened as the primaries approach.