Simultaneously, tensions grew between National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Likud party after he announced that Otzma Yehudit would not run together with the Religious Zionist Party.

Netanyahu was quick to launch a campaign to unite the far-right Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionism parties, but Ben-Gvir has rejected the move. His aides claim that Smotrich is…

"Only a large Otzma Yehudit, together with Smotrich and Ofer Winter running together, only in this way can a fully right-wing government be formed," Ben-Gvir said.