Otzma Yehudit Demands Defense, Justice Ministries in Next Government

Otzma Yehudit party chairman, Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, announced Tuesday that his party will seek control of the Defense and Justice ministries in the next government. Ben-Gvir stated his intention to serve as Defense Minister, while MK Tali Gottlieb would be appointed Minister of Justice.

Ben-Gvir's proposed security plan includes encouraging voluntary emigration from Gaza and the West Bank, and what he termed 'shattering the containment concept.' This involves disarming the Palestinian Authority, arresting senior officials supporting terrorism, changing open-fire regulations, and providing backing for soldiers. He also aims to increase soldier salaries, offer free land to combat soldiers, and revise the ethical code of Asa Kasher, which he called 'the progressive ethical code.' The plan also suggests opening elite IDF units, including Unit 8200, to the general population.

Gottlieb's plan for the Justice Ministry involves the immediate dismissal of the Attorney General upon the formation of the next government. She also proposes that Supreme Court justices be appointed only after a hearing in the Knesset's Constitution Committee and approval by a two-thirds majority. Additionally, Gottlieb seeks to reinstate the standing test for legal standing and explicitly define non-justiciable matters. Her plan includes canceling the judicial candidate screening course, which she labeled 'the legal junta's tool for filtering judges,' and increasing penalties for crime and terror organizations. It also proposes rescinding the requirement for prior approval from the State Attorney's Office to investigate offenses like incitement and sedition.