Ben Gvir Rejects Netanyahu's Call to Unite with Smotrich 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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