Ben-Gvir Seeks to Retain National Security Ministry Without Personal Role

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reportedly does not wish to continue serving in his current role in the next government. However, his party, Otzma Yehudit, intends to retain control of the influential ministry. According to a report by Boaz Golan on Channel 14, the demand has been formulated and is ready for future coalition negotiations.

Sources familiar with the matter stated that while Ben-Gvir is not interested in personally holding the position again, he will not relinquish the ministry. The demand will be for the ministry to remain under Otzma Yehudit's control. Ben-Gvir's tenure as National Security Minister has been marked by continuous political storms, including direct confrontations with police leadership, budget disputes with the Treasury, and frequent legal friction with the Attorney General's office.

The political complexities and heavy workload likely contributed to the decision not to personally fill the role in the next term, but rather to assign the portfolio to another representative from his faction. This decision suggests a strategic move to manage the ministry's influence while potentially mitigating the personal political fallout from its turbulent nature.

Additionally, it was recently reported that just before the deadline for Knesset lists, Otzma Yehudit registered as two separate entities: "Jewish National Front" and "Our Land of Israel." This official split is intended to maximize the party's public funding, estimated to be an additional 1.2 million shekels annually.