Netanyahu Presses Ben-Gvir on Right-Wing Unity Amid Political Maneuvering

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to exert pressure on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to unite with Bezalel Smotrich's party, a move aimed at consolidating the right-wing bloc and preventing wasted votes. The pressure campaign will reportedly involve both public political appeals and outreach through rabbis close to Ben-Gvir. Netanyahu had called for the union before the Sabbath and scheduled a meeting with both ministers for Sunday, engaging in a public exchange with Ben-Gvir via video statements.

Ben-Gvir, however, has expressed skepticism about the feasibility of such a merger, stating that unity talks are pointless if the outcome is predetermined. Netanyahu's associates are reportedly attempting to enlist Rabbi Dov Lior, who is close to Ben-Gvir, to encourage the union, but have been informed that the rabbi does not intend to intervene in political matters and trusts Ben-Gvir's judgment.

Politically, Netanyahu may attempt to portray Ben-Gvir as a threat to the right-wing bloc's electoral success. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's circle is exploring alternative consolidation options, including a potential merger between Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir's party, though they acknowledge this may not be sufficient to safely pass the electoral threshold. Ben-Gvir reacted strongly to reports of Smotrich and Avi Maoz's party (represented by Feiglin in the article's context) engaging in advanced merger talks, accusing Netanyahu of orchestrating a "staged" call for unity with him solely to pressure Feiglin. Ben-Gvir sharply criticized Netanyahu, stating, "My name is Itamar Ben-Gvir, not Benny Gantz," a jab at the prime minister's perceived political games.

Adding to the tensions, Yair Netanyahu, the Prime Minister's son, criticized Ben-Gvir, accusing him of indifference to the right-wing bloc's electoral prospects and suggesting he is content with sitting in the opposition. Yair Netanyahu also alleged that under Ben-Gvir's tenure, the Israel Police has become a tool for persecuting the right-wing.