Smotrich Urges Right-Wing Parties to Unite, Criticizes Ben-Gvir's Refusal

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reiterated his call for all parties to the right of the Likud to unite, emphasizing the need for a "technical bloc" that doesn't require full ideological agreement. Speaking on Kan News radio, Smotrich urged Itamar Ben-Gvir and Ofer Winter, among others, to join forces, expressing particular respect for Winter and advising him "not to take risks."

Smotrich defended his technical bloc agreement with Moshe Feiglin's Zehut party as a means to prevent the waste of votes, stating that ideological alignment is not necessary for such a union. He sharply criticized Otzma Yehudit chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir's refusal to unite with him, calling it a "grave mistake" that would lead to internal vote transfers rather than an overall increase in the bloc's strength.

The Finance Minister stressed that national responsibility supersedes personal or party interests, indicating his willingness to set aside personal considerations for the broader good of the right-wing camp. The agreement with Feiglin ensures each party retains its independence while preventing vote loss.

In response to Rabbi Shlomo Aviner's comment that a non-Jew cannot lead, Smotrich defended Yosef Haddad, an Arab-Israeli candidate on Winter's list, stating that Haddad, a Zionist who served in the IDF, is welcome. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich for separate meetings on Sunday to promote a right-wing union, though Otzma Yehudit has stated their decision not to unite with Smotrich is final.