Itamar Ben Gvir Rejects Netanyahu’s Call to Unite with Smotrich for Right-Wing Coalition
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir rejected Prime Minister Netanyahu’s call to unite with Bezalel Smotrich for a joint right-wing list, insisting on a larger Otzma Yehudit role. Netanyahu warned that division risks electoral defeat and pledged to push for unity ahead of elections.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Itamar Ben Gvir rejects Netanyahu’s call to unite with Bezalel Smotrich under one list.
- Ben Gvir wants a larger Otzma Yehudit party, not a smaller one for a broad government.
- Netanyahu warns that right-wing division risks repeating the 1992 election failure.
- Netanyahu plans to meet both leaders to encourage a united right-wing list.
- Ben Gvir accuses Netanyahu of wanting a coalition with Benny Gantz, not a fully right-wing government.
Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel’s National Security Minister, responded sharply to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call for a political alliance with Bezalel Smotrich. In a video released shortly after Netanyahu’s appeal, Ben Gvir rejected the proposal to unite under a joint list, accusing Netanyahu of wanting a small Otzma Yehudit party to facilitate a broad national government with Benny Gantz. Ben Gvir insisted that only a large Otzma Yehudit combined with Smotrich and Yoav Winter together could form a fully right-wing government.
Netanyahu had urged Ben Gvir and Smotrich to overcome personal differences and unite, warning that division among right-wing parties risks repeating the 1992 election failure when multiple right-wing factions failed to pass the electoral threshold, enabling left-wing victories and ongoing security challenges. Netanyahu emphasized that unity is what the public expects and announced plans to meet with both leaders soon to push for a joint list.
Ben Gvir’s rejection highlights ongoing tensions within the right-wing bloc ahead of upcoming elections, with Netanyahu seeking to consolidate the right to maximize electoral success, while Ben Gvir demands a stronger Otzma Yehudit presence rather than a diminished role in a broader coalition.
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