Ben Gvir Decides Against Reserving Spot for May Golan as She Announces Political Break
Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben Gvir will not reserve a spot for Minister May Golan on his list, as Golan claims she rejected his offer and announced a temporary hiatus from politics.
The chairman of the Otzma Yehudit party, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, has decided not to reserve a spot for Minister May Golan on his party's electoral list for the upcoming Knesset elections.
Golan, who placed 23rd in the Likud primaries, was pushed down to an unrealistic spot on the Likud list due to the strategic reservations made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Following the primary results, Golan fiercely attacked what she described as "false spins, hit lists, and briefers on behalf of the Prime Minister" who "did not want a strong-willed right-wing woman in the party." At the end of her statement, she hinted that she would not leave political life, writing: "To be continued..."
Close Cooperation and Speculation
Speculation immediately arose regarding a potential move to Ben Gvir's party. Golan and Ben Gvir have maintained close personal and political relations, cooperating tightly throughout their terms. Golan previously faced severe criticism for redirecting her ministry's budget, originally allocated for a five-year plan for Arab society, to Ben Gvir's ministry, as they jointly altered the funding transfer mechanism to Arab local authorities.
Only last Friday, during an official announcement regarding the addition of Tally Gotliv to Otzma Yehudit, Ben Gvir was asked about the possibility of 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 Declines and Announces Political Hiatus
Following the announcement that the move would not materialize, Golan's office issued a statement clarifying that she was the one who rejected the offer:
"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."
The statement added that Golan expressed her deep appreciation for Ben Gvir but emphasized that "the path of the Likud movement was and remains her path," despite the smear campaigns waged against her prior to the primaries.
Golan concluded by announcing a temporary retirement from public life:
"After 15 consecutive years of non-stop public service day and night—including seven years in the Knesset alongside serving as a minister managing immense struggles—I feel this is the right time for me to take a break for myself. To all the amazing people of the national camp who shower me with endless love, I want to say: remember, everything is for the best! Am Yisrael Chai."
