Has the post-election battle already begun? Otzma Yehudit: "Fake News"

Otzma Yehudit party denied a report on ynet about a conversation between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister Ben Gvir and MK Tali Gottlieb, in which he allegedly allayed the party's fears about not being included in the next coalition. The party defined the report as "absolute fake news" and claimed that no such conversation had taken place in recent weeks. Meanwhile, the party claimed that reports are increasing that the Prime Minister's Office has conveyed messages to foreign countries that the party will not be part of the next government, and linked this to a campaign in Likud for a unity government and briefings against including Ben Gvir.

The Otzma Yehudit party issued a firm denial against a report published on ynet, according to which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and MK Tali Gottlieb and allayed their concerns that the party would not be included in the next coalition. In a party statement, it was said that this is "absolute fake news," and that no conversation took place in recent weeks between Ben Gvir and Netanyahu, nor were such messages sent. Meanwhile, the party claimed that reports are increasing that the Prime Minister's Office has conveyed messages to several countries around the world, stating that the party will not be part of the next government. Otzma Yehudit linked this to a campaign in Likud for a unity government and briefings attributed to senior officials in the Prime Minister's Office against including Ben Gvir in a future government. The denial comes against the backdrop of internal political struggles on the right after the elections, as Otzma Yehudit fears possible exclusion from the next coalition.