Ben-Gvir Vows to Oppose Centrist Inclusion in Future Government

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has declared he will not serve as a "decoration" in a future government that includes centrist figures like Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, or Yair Lapid. Speaking in an interview with Tal Meir on Channel 14, Ben-Gvir criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's advisors, alleging they are "dripping" suggestions to Netanyahu to "look to the center" and adopt a more moderate political stance.

Ben-Gvir reiterated his support for Netanyahu as prime minister but insisted on the formation of a "distinct right-wing government." He stated that while his ballot is the only one that includes Netanyahu, he wants people with a clear ideology, such as himself and MK Tali Gottlieb, at the government table, not figures from the center.

The minister warned of a recurring pattern where Netanyahu, in past elections like 2009 and 2013, opted for centrist alliances when possible. Ben-Gvir emphasized the need for continued judicial reform, the dismissal of the Attorney General, and the encouragement of immigration, suggesting these policies would be jeopardized if centrist figures were allowed to dictate terms.

These remarks come amid heightened tensions within the national camp, following Ben-Gvir's firm rejection of Netanyahu's demand to unite with Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism party. Additionally, Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party has bolstered its ranks by securing MK Tali Gottlieb in the second position on its list for the upcoming Knesset elections, after Gottlieb accused Netanyahu's circle of attempting to sideline her candidacy within the Likud party.