The Likud denied a report in Thursday's Yediot Aharonot newspaper that the party offered to close the egalitarian section at the Western Wall in return for the far Right Noam party quitting the September 17 election. 
Likud MK Miki Zohar told the newspaper that he made the offer with permission from his party but the party denied it.
Blue and White candidate Yair Lapid expressed outrage at the decision, saying that "in return for half a mandate, the prime minister is offering a group of delusional extremists in Noam to complete the destruction of Israel's ties with the majority of the Jewish world."
Lapid said Netanyahu "lost what is left of his national responsibility."
In response, Zohar tweeted a clarification shortly thereafter.
"During the meeting with Noam members I made no offer, in complete contrast with the story published in Yediot Aharonot."
"I focused on a detailed explanation of how they might accidentally help form a left wing government that goes against their ideology," Zohar added.
"I have not, and will not have the arrogance to make such offers and I am not responsible for offers they received from the United Torah Judaism party."