Ben Gvir Decides Against Reserving Spot for May Golan on Otzma Yehudit List

The leader of the Otzma Yehudit party, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, has decided that Minister May Golan will not receive a reserved spot on his party's electoral list for the upcoming Knesset elections.

Golan, who finished 23rd in the Likud primaries, was pushed down to an unrealistic spot on the Likud list due to reservations made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Following the decision, Otzma Yehudit also announced that Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu has been placed 4th on its electoral list.

Tensions and Speculation

After the Likud primary results were published, Golan fiercely attacked what she described as "lying spins, hit lists, and briefers on behalf of the Prime Minister" who, according to her, "did not want a strong-minded right-wing woman in the party." At the end of that statement, she hinted that she would not leave the political arena, writing: "To be continued..."

This fueled speculation that she would defect to Ben Gvir's party. Golan and Ben Gvir have maintained close relations and collaborated tightly throughout their term. Golan previously faced severe criticism for redirecting her ministry's budget, originally earmarked for a five-year plan for Arab society, to Ben Gvir's ministry, as they jointly altered the funding mechanism for Arab local authorities.

Only last Friday, during an official announcement regarding the addition of Tally Gotliv to Otzma Yehudit, Ben Gvir was asked about reserving a spot for Golan and did not rule it out:

"May Golan is a good friend of mine, she is an excellent minister. We will publish our list later. Being friends is not enough, but you will see what Otzma Yehudit brings when we publish the list."

Golan's Response and Political Sabbatical

Following the announcement that the move would not materialize, Golan's office issued a statement denying any active negotiations:

"Contrary to false reports and briefings, no negotiations took place between the sides. Minister Ben Gvir approached Minister Golan on his own initiative and offered her a realistic spot on the Otzma Yehudit list, and the Minister declined his offer."

According to her office, Golan clarified to Ben Gvir that while she highly appreciates and loves him, her path remains with the Likud party, despite the false briefings directed against her prior to the primaries.

Golan added:

"After 15 consecutive years of non-stop public service day and night—including seven years in the Knesset alongside serving as a minister managing massive struggles—I feel this is the right time for me to take a personal timeout. To all the amazing people of the national camp who shower me with endless love, I want to say: remember, everything, absolutely everything, is for the best! Am Yisrael Chai."