Education Minister Denies Claims of Netanyahu's Plan to Exclude Ben-Gvir
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Education Minister Yoav Kisch denied claims by Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to exclude Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party from a surplus agreement and future government. Kisch stated that Netanyahu had long ago indicated an agreement with the Religious Zionism party and that Ben-Gvir was a partner. Otzma Yehudit had previously claimed the Likud refused a surplus agreement as part of an effort to sideline them. A surplus agreement is a pre-election pact to prevent vote wastage.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Education Minister Yoav Kisch denied claims that Prime Minister Netanyahu planned to exclude Itamar Ben-Gvir from a surplus agreement.
- Kisch stated that Netanyahu had long ago indicated a surplus agreement would be made with the Religious Zionism party.
- Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party claimed the Likud refused a surplus agreement to diminish their influence.
- Kisch affirmed that Ben-Gvir is a full partner and will likely be in the next government.
- A surplus agreement is a technical pact to prevent valid votes from being lost after initial seat distribution.
Education Minister Yoav Kisch refuted claims made by Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's intentions in forming future government alliances. Ben-Gvir had alleged that Netanyahu did not want to sign a surplus agreement with his party, Otzma Yehudit, and was instead planning to form a government with the candidate. Kisch dismissed these assertions as "nonsense," stating that he was responsible for surplus agreements and that Netanyahu had long ago indicated an agreement would be made with the Religious Zionism party, leaving no room for dilemma.
Kisch further clarified that neither Ben-Gvir nor anyone from Otzma Yehudit had approached him about a surplus agreement. He emphasized that the Religious Zionism party was always understood to be a coalition partner, and the agreement was finalized accordingly. "Without spins and without nonsense, we did what we said we would do all along," Kisch stated.
When asked about Ben-Gvir being left without a party for a surplus agreement, Kisch responded that he could not solve Ben-Gvir's problems but wished him success, adding that Ben-Gvir "is a full partner in our entire path and will presumably also be a partner in the next government."
Earlier on Tuesday, Otzma Yehudit had issued a statement expressing regret that the Likud refused to sign a surplus agreement with them. The party claimed this was an attempt by the Likud to diminish Otzma Yehudit and keep Ben-Gvir out of a unity government planned with the candidate, echoing sentiments previously expressed by former Labor MK Eli Goldschmidt. A surplus agreement is a technical pact between parties before elections to prevent the loss of valid votes after the initial seat distribution.
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