Netanyahu's Likud Clashes With Far-Right Ally Over Government Formation

Tensions are escalating within Israel's right-wing bloc as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party launched a sharp attack on Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party and a current minister. The Likud's statement dismissed Ben-Gvir's criticisms regarding Netanyahu's intentions for forming the next government, stating, "Enough with the bluff." The party asserted that Netanyahu has repeatedly made it clear he will form the next government with the existing parties of the national camp.

The Likud urged Ben-Gvir to focus instead on preventing the formation of a left-wing government involving Benny Gantz's National Unity party, Yair Golan, Avigdor Lieberman, and Arab parties, rather than attacking Likud. Otzma Yehudit responded fiercely to Netanyahu, quoting the Hebrew idiom "The hat burns on the head of the thief," implying guilt. The party accused the Prime Minister's office of maintaining a double standard: projecting to the world that Ben-Gvir would not be in the next government while simultaneously promoting a unity government and avoiding joint appearances with him.

Otzma Yehudit claimed this behavior constitutes "deep contempt for right-wing voters." They further alleged that Netanyahu desires Gadi Eisenkot, who signed a surplus-vote-sharing agreement with Yair Golan, in the next government instead of Ben-Gvir. Otzma Yehudit concluded by demanding Netanyahu publicly commit to not sitting with Eisenkot and Golan.