Yinon Magal Warns Ben-Gvir of Electoral Price for Clashing With Netanyahu

Yinon Magal, a prominent Israeli figure, has cautioned Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir against his escalating dispute with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning that such conflicts could exact a political toll at the ballot box. "Ben-Gvir is making a mistake by fighting with Netanyahu. Experience teaches that whoever does this pays a price at the polls," Magal stated on his X account.

Magal's remarks come amid a heated exchange between Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party and the Prime Minister's Office. Otzma Yehudit has accused Netanyahu of intending to form a post-election government that excludes them, potentially including Gadi Eisenkot. The party also alleged that Netanyahu prefers Eisenkot, who signed a surplus agreement with Yair Golan, over Ben-Gvir.

Otzma Yehudit further criticized Netanyahu's office for what they described as "deep contempt for right-wing voters." They pointed to perceived contradictory actions, such as sending messages to other countries that Ben-Gvir would not be in the next government while simultaneously campaigning for a unity government and avoiding joint appearances with him. The party demanded that Netanyahu publicly commit to not sitting with Eisenkot and Golan in the next government.