Otzma Yehudit Demands Key Ministries in Next Government

The Otzma Yehudit party has outlined its primary demands for the upcoming government coalition negotiations. Party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir intends to request the position of Defense Minister, while Knesset member Tali Gottlieb is slated to be proposed as Justice Minister.

Ben-Gvir's proposed security agenda includes a fundamental shift in security doctrine, advocating for the "voluntary emigration" of residents from Gaza and Judea and Samaria. He also calls for the complete dismantling of the Palestinian "terrorist authority," disarming it, and arresting senior officials supporting terrorism. His plan further suggests revising open-fire regulations to provide full backing to IDF soldiers and security forces, alongside economic and social benefits for service members, such as increased salaries for conscripts and free land for discharged soldiers.

The security platform also proposes abolishing the "progressive ethical code" drafted by Asa Kasher and opening elite military units, including the 8200 intelligence unit, to all segments of the population. In the legal sphere, Gottlieb's plan prioritizes the immediate dismissal of the Attorney General upon the formation of the next government. Additionally, appointments to the Supreme Court would undergo structural changes, requiring a public hearing in the Knesset's Constitution Committee and approval by a two-thirds majority of the committee members.

The legal plan aims to restore the Supreme Court to its original purpose by implementing stricter standing requirements and legally defining non-justiciable matters. It also seeks to abolish a candidate screening course described as a tool of the "legal junta." Regarding enforcement, the proposal includes a broad reform to combat crime and terrorism through significantly harsher penalties and deterrence, as well as revoking the state prosecutor's directive that prevents independent criminal investigations into incitement, rebellion, or disobedience without prior approval.