Ben Gvir Rejects Netanyahu's Call to Unite with Smotrich Ahead of Elections
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir rejects Prime Minister Netanyahu's call to unite Otzma Yehudit with Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party for the upcoming Knesset elections, insisting his party will run independently.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Ben Gvir refuses Netanyahu's proposal to unite Otzma Yehudit with Religious Zionist Party.
- Netanyahu invited Ben Gvir and Smotrich to a Sunday meeting to discuss joint election run.
- Ben Gvir states the decision to run separately is final and no talks will occur.
- Ben Gvir calls on Netanyahu to unite smaller right-wing factions or use Likud slots for Smotrich.
- The disagreement highlights ongoing divisions within Israel's right-wing ahead of elections.
Tensions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir escalated as Netanyahu invited Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to a meeting aimed at uniting their parties for the upcoming Knesset elections. Netanyahu's goal was to have Otzma Yehudit, led by Ben Gvir, run jointly with Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party to consolidate the right-wing vote.
Ben Gvir firmly rejected the proposal, declaring in a statement that Otzma Yehudit and the Religious Zionist Party will not run together in the upcoming elections. He emphasized that this decision is final and absolute, ruling out any direct or indirect negotiations or meetings on the matter.
Ben Gvir further urged Netanyahu to focus on two realistic options to ensure a right-wing victory: either uniting all small right-wing factions or using the reserved slots Netanyahu has within Likud to support Smotrich. The Prime Minister scheduled the meeting for Sunday, but Ben Gvir's categorical refusal signals continued fragmentation among right-wing parties ahead of the elections.
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