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, according to reports from "Weekend News." The pressure campaign will involve both public political efforts and appeals through rabbis close to Ben-Gvir. Netanyahu had previously called for the union and scheduled a meeting with both ministers, but Ben-Gvir responded that unity talks were pointless as the merger would not happen.

Netanyahu's associates are reportedly attempting to engage Rabbi Dov Lior, who is close to Ben-Gvir, to encourage the merger. However, they were 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 team is exploring alternative unification options within the right-wing bloc to prevent vote wastage. One possibility being considered is a merger between Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir's former associate, Michael Ben-Ari, though Netanyahu's advisors believe this alliance might not be strong enough to overcome the electoral threshold.

Ben-Gvir reacted sharply to reports of Smotrich and Ben-Ari's negotiations, expressing "astonishment" and accusing the Prime Minister of orchestrating a "staged" call for unity with him merely to pressure Ben-Ari. Ben-Gvir pointedly remarked, "Prime Minister, it's worth reminding you, my name is Itamar Ben-Gvir, not Benny Gantz."

Adding to the public spat, Yair Netanyahu, the Prime Minister's son, criticized Ben-Gvir, accusing him of not caring if the right-wing bloc fails to secure 61 seats and suggesting Ben-Gvir is only adept at making TikTok videos. Yair Netanyahu also alleged that under Ben-Gvir's tenure, the Israel Police has become an enforcement arm for the "Kaplan protests" and has pursued right-wing individuals.