Netanyahu Meets Smotrich, Ben-Gvir to Curb Far-Right Campaign

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a coalition campaign meeting Tuesday with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Netanyahu's primary objective is to curb Ben-Gvir's campaign, which is seen as siphoning votes from the Likud party within the right-wing bloc, votes that are not attracting new supporters. The meeting also aims to neutralize Ben-Gvir's narrative that Netanyahu will align with Benny Gantz, and instead focus on maximizing voter turnout by encouraging specific demographics to vote.

The Likud party expressed opposition to Ben-Gvir's recent statement demanding the Defense Ministry for himself and the Justice Ministry for Tali Gottlieb, a new addition to his Otzma Yehudit party, after the elections. The Likud's objections stem from two main concerns: first, they consider the Defense and Justice portfolios to be core Likud ministries, despite past Likud-led governments having assigned them to individuals outside the party. Second, the Likud fears potential backlash from Arab nations, particularly Egypt and Jordan, should Ben-Gvir be appointed Defense Minister.