Feiglin Demands Defense Minister Post, Cites 'No Choice' for Netanyahu

Moshe Feiglin, chairman of the Zehut party, stated in a recent interview that he would demand the position of Defense Minister from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if their political bloc wins the upcoming elections. Feiglin asserted that Netanyahu would appoint him to the role if he had no other choice, suggesting that his lack of military general experience is an advantage in addressing perceived systemic failures within the defense establishment that led to the October 7th attacks.

Feiglin also addressed his controversial past statements, including remarks about the necessity of eliminating Gazan civilians and his call for soldiers to refuse orders to transfer aid into the Gaza Strip. He clarified that he does not wish for the death of babies but wants "everyone out," comparing the situation to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He defended his call for refusing aid, labeling it an "illegal order" during wartime, and contrasted it with alleged left-wing calls to dismantle the IDF prior to October 7th.

Regarding his party's alliance with Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism, Feiglin emphasized that Zehut remains an independent entity within a technical bloc aimed at overcoming the electoral threshold. He expressed regret for a past interview involving "feet," describing it as a mistake made in a "Purim-like, relaxed atmosphere."

On other social issues, Feiglin suggested it was time to focus on "straight people's rights" and criticized what he termed "secular coercion," advocating for local communities to decide on matters like businesses operating on Shabbat. He also stated he would welcome Israeli-Arab activist Yoseph Haddad to his list, calling him an ally who has "tied his fate with the fate of the people of Israel."