Otzma Yehudit Demands Key Ministerial Posts, Outlines Judicial and Security Agendas

Ahitmar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Otzma Yehudit party, announced Tuesday he will demand the position of Defense Minister in the next government. Tally Gottlieb, recently joining his party as its second-ranked candidate, stated she will seek the Justice Minister role. The party also indicated it wants the National Security Minister portfolio for Yitzhak Wasserlauf, currently the Minister for the Development of the Negev and Galilee.

Ben-Gvir's bid for Defense Minister comes despite his lack of military service. Gottlieb's potential appointment as Justice Minister faces a challenge due to a pending indictment against her, which could prevent her from serving under the "Der'i-Pinchasi precedent." This legal ruling bars individuals facing indictments, even if not yet convicted, from ministerial positions.

At a press conference, Ben-Gvir presented his security plan, which includes encouraging "voluntary emigration" from Gaza and the West Bank, dismantling the Palestinian Authority's military capabilities, and arresting senior PA officials. He labeled the PA as a "terror supporter." Ben-Gvir also proposed revising open-fire regulations, providing soldiers with "backing," increasing soldier salaries, and offering free land to combat soldiers. He further suggested altering the IDF's ethical code, which he termed "progressive" pejoratively, and opening elite units like Unit 8200 to the general population, though critics note these units are already open but favor candidates from central Israel.

Gottlieb outlined her judicial reform agenda, prioritizing the immediate dismissal of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. She plans to advance Supreme Court justice appointments only after a hearing process in the Knesset Constitution Committee and a two-thirds majority approval, effectively making the court subordinate to the ruling coalition. Gottlieb also aims to "return the Supreme Court to its natural purpose," questioning the standing principle and asserting that not all matters are justiciable, with specific non-justiciable topics to be defined. She also intends to abolish the "candidate selection course," which she described as a "tool of the legal junta for filtering judges."

Additionally, Gottlieb promised reforms regarding crime organizations and terrorists, including harsher penalties and "punitive deterrence." She also seeks to revoke the current procedure where the State Attorney's Office requires prior approval from the Attorney General to open criminal investigations for offenses like incitement and sedition. This proposal is seen as significantly more extensive than the judicial reforms previously proposed by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, which sparked widespread protests.