Netanyahu Calls for Right-Wing Unity as Ben Gvir Rejects and Reveals Private Talks

The public dispute within Israel's right-wing camp intensified on Wednesday evening between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Itamar Ben Gvir, leader of Otzma Yehudit. Netanyahu urged Ben Gvir not to split the right-wing vote and called for unity, a message echoed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who emphasized the need for responsibility and cohesion in the national camp.

Ben Gvir responded sharply, accusing Netanyahu of wanting to weaken Otzma Yehudit to facilitate a broader national government including Benny Gantz. He revealed details from private conversations with Netanyahu, claiming the prime minister himself said the "perfect scenario" to maximize votes was a joint run by Smotrich and retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, not a union between Otzma Yehudit and the Religious Zionist Party. Ben Gvir argued that a merger with Smotrich would cost Otzma Yehudit 3-4 Knesset seats and risk the right-wing government’s stability.

Smotrich also joined the call for unity, contrasting with Ben Gvir’s insistence that the electoral alliance should be between Smotrich and Winter. This marks a reversal from four years ago when Ben Gvir sought unity with Smotrich to avoid vote splitting. Netanyahu warned of repeating the 1992 election mistake when the right-wing lost power due to party fragmentation, leading to the Oslo Accords and ongoing security challenges.

Netanyahu announced plans to personally intervene to broker an agreement between Ben Gvir and Smotrich, stating, "Every time we went together, we won. Every time we ran separately, we lost." However, Ben Gvir dismissed the unity call, accusing Netanyahu of wanting Otzma Yehudit to remain small to preserve political maneuvering space post-election for a broad government including Gantz.

The dispute unfolds amid the entry of Ofer Winter’s new party, Amcha Yisrael, into the right-wing race, raising concerns about vote splitting. Winter clarified his party’s right-wing alignment and support for Netanyahu as the sole prime ministerial candidate. Netanyahu’s call for unity notably excluded Winter, focusing on uniting Smotrich and Ben Gvir’s factions.