Tensions between Likud and Otzma Yehudit are escalating. Senior Otzma Yehudit officials claim that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is aiming to establish a unity government with Gadi Eisenkot after the elections and that, to this end, Likud has recently been working to weaken the party’s political strength.

According to the officials, Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has become convinced over the past month that Likud is seeking to isolate Otzma Yehudit and reduce its electoral strength. “That is their grand plan," they said. “The briefings coming from the prime minister’s circle only reinforce the assessment that there is genuine reason for concern."

Otzma Yehudit officials dismiss Netanyahu’s pledge to form a government based on the parties in the current coalition, arguing that in practice, the messages coming from Likud point to a different objective.

“If Otzma Yehudit is smaller, it will be much easier for Netanyahu to choose the option of a government with Eisenkot," they said.

The party also pointed to Likud’s election campaign, which emphasizes the message of a “broad government," while, according to the officials, messages about forming a right-wing government - common in previous election campaigns - have been almost entirely absent.

They also noted that Eisenkot himself has not ruled out the possibility of joining a government headed by Netanyahu, as well as the fact that Netanyahu has recently refrained from making joint appearances with Ben Gvir.

According to the officials, Netanyahu’s pattern of conduct is nothing new. They noted that in the past he formed governments with the Labor Party and Yesh Atid, and also attempted to establish a unity government with Benny Gantz.

“Netanyahu has decided that he is going with Eisenkot," the officials charged. “There will be no fight against the Attorney General, there will be no judicial reform; there will only be polite statesmanship. He is already heading in that direction."

The officials added that they believe Religious Zionism chairman and Minister Bezalel Smotrich would also be willing to join such a government if he were offered a significant position.

“Unlike him, Itamar Ben Gvir will not be able to sit in a government that does not advance the encouragement of emigration and judicial reform. As far as we are concerned, Netanyahu has already made up his mind to establish a Netanyahu-Eisenkot government."