Netanyahu Avoids Public Appearances With Far-Right Ally Ben-Gvir

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to distance himself from Otzma Yehudit party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir, avoiding public photos and joint appearances until the upcoming elections. This strategic move is reportedly aimed at regaining moderate Likud voters who have shifted their support to other parties. The decision reflects a calculated effort by Netanyahu to manage the perception of his government's alignment with his more extreme coalition partners.

Sources close to Ben-Gvir claim Netanyahu has been refusing to be photographed or meet with him publicly. This pattern was evident during a recent pre-Yom Kippur prayer event at the Western Wall. While Netanyahu observed from a higher level with his wife, Ben-Gvir was on a lower floor. Ben-Gvir's aide requested to meet Netanyahu, but Netanyahu's chief of staff, Edo Nordan, denied the request, stating the Prime Minister was "busy" and "could not meet." Ben-Gvir's associates expressed frustration, sarcastically noting Netanyahu was reading prayers and posing for photos, implying the refusal was specifically about avoiding pictures with Ben-Gvir.

Later that evening, Ben-Gvir encountered Netanyahu and remarked on the inability to greet him. Netanyahu offered brief pleasantries and moved on. This incident follows a similar refusal in late August when Netanyahu declined to be photographed with Ben-Gvir at an event announcing the discovery of the sunken Altalena ship. While Ben-Gvir held a press conference and invited Netanyahu, the Prime Minister opted to release a separate video from a nearby location, sparking anger from Ben-Gvir, who drew parallels to former Prime Minister Menachem Begin and criticized Netanyahu for perceived disloyalty.