Itamar Ben Gvir Dances with Supporters at Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda Market Amid Political Dispute

Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's National Security Minister and leader of Otzma Yehudit, visited Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda Market late Thursday night, accompanied by security. During his visit, he joined in dancing with attendees to the song "Whoever Believes Is Not Afraid," a slogan linked to his party's election campaign. The visit came shortly after a public dispute between Ben Gvir and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding a proposed right-wing political alliance ahead of upcoming elections.

Earlier that day, Netanyahu urged Ben Gvir and Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich to unite their factions to strengthen the right-wing bloc and prevent vote loss. Netanyahu warned that Smotrich was close to the electoral threshold and emphasized that a technical bloc would bolster the right-wing coalition. Ben Gvir rejected Netanyahu's call, suggesting instead that Smotrich should unite with Ofer Winter, leader of the "Amcha Israel" party, arguing that a union between him and Smotrich would alienate 3-4 Knesset seats worth of voters and potentially cause the right-wing government to collapse.

Ben Gvir stated that he and Netanyahu had discussed the matter multiple times and that Netanyahu was aware of detailed polling data supporting his position. He also claimed Netanyahu favored a joint run between Winter and Smotrich to maximize right-wing votes. Ben Gvir concluded his response by declaring his commitment to preventing a government involving Benny Gantz and emphasized his goal of forming a right-wing government only.