Netanyahu May Seek Coalition Without Far-Right Leader Ben Gvir, Aide Suggests

A senior advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that Netanyahu would prefer to form a government without the leader of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, Itamar Ben Gvir, should he receive the mandate to form a coalition after the upcoming elections. The advisor, speaking to JNS Israel, cited dissatisfaction within Netanyahu's circle regarding Ben Gvir's conduct over the past four years.

According to the advisor, if Netanyahu has the option to form a government not dependent on Ben Gvir, he will likely avoid such reliance. This assessment is also linked to Netanyahu's potential plans for his next term. The Prime Minister will celebrate his 77th birthday after the elections, and if he can establish a stable government, he might view it as his final term, aiming to improve relations with segments of the public who are displeased with him.

The advisor believes that the experience with Ben Gvir, the desire to regain broader public legitimacy, and the possibility of this being his last term could lead Netanyahu to favor a coalition excluding Otzma Yehudit.

Ben Gvir reacted sharply to the report, calling it "very worrying and infuriating." He claimed Netanyahu himself acknowledged that major wartime achievements occurred only after Gadi Eisenkot and Benny Gantz left the war cabinet and Ben Gvir joined. Ben Gvir warned that replacing him with Eisenkot would be an insult to right-wing voters, suggesting such a move indicates a lack of desire for military victory or judicial reform.