Likud calls Otzma Yehudit a 'core partner' after Ben-Gvir claims Netanyahu promised to EU countries to exclude him from next gov’t

Itamar Ben-Gvir and Otzma Yehudit are 'core partners' of the current coalition, the Likud party said on Sunday after Ben-Gvir claimed that he would be blocked from joining the next government.

Ben-Gvir earlier claimed that he would be excluded from the next coalition by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the behest of several European countries.

Likud called the claim an act of 'friendly fire' and said that, in fact, the opposite was true.

"The Prime Minister has made it clear that any government will include the core partners of the current coalition, and that any Zionist party will be invited to join—based on our foundational policy guidelines and the existing composition," the Likud statement said.

Likud then called on voters to vote to prevent a "left-wing government—comprising Eisenkot, the Arab parties, Yair Golan, Lieberman, and Bennett," and to ensure greater security.