Likud Warns Ben Gvir Against Splitting Right-Wing Votes Ahead of Elections

The Likud party has intensified its criticism of Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben Gvir following his decision not to unite with Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich. Likud officials warn that dividing right-wing votes could harm the national camp and pave the way for a center-left government. They accuse Ben Gvir of effectively enabling a left-wing government led by figures such as Gadi Eizenkot, Avigdor Lieberman, Yair Golan, and Arab parties by refusing to join forces with Smotrich.

Likud poses a direct political question to Ben Gvir, asking whether he supports a broad national government under Prime Minister Netanyahu that would continue recent achievements in Judea and Samaria, counter Iran’s nuclear threat, and maintain a strong right-wing stance. The party cautions that a fragmented right could lead to a repeat of 1992, when a divided right facilitated the Oslo Accords.

Likud also warns that a government formed without Netanyahu would adopt drastically different policies, including establishing a Palestinian state, yielding to international demands, weakening the IDF, shutting down Channel 14, persecuting right-wing activists, and returning Israel to a period of political instability. The party urges Ben Gvir to overcome personal ego, show maturity and responsibility, and unite the right-wing camp for the sake of Israel.

This confrontation between Likud and Ben Gvir is part of a broader struggle within the right-wing bloc ahead of the elections, where decisions about alliances and joint runs are expected to be key political issues. Likud’s primary goal is to prevent right-wing votes from falling below the electoral threshold and to maintain a large right-wing bloc around Netanyahu.