Netanyahu and Smotrich Exclude Ben-Gvir From Election Strategy Meeting
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Religious Zionism Chairman Bezalel Smotrich are holding a pre-election strategy meeting with rabbis and religious leaders in Jerusalem, excluding Itamar Ben-Gvir, chairman of Otzma Yehudit. Ben-Gvir was reportedly unaware of the meeting, which aims to prepare for the 2026 elections and boost right-wing turnout. The exclusion follows recent tensions between Ben-Gvir and Netanyahu and the finalization of surplus agreements between Likud and Religious Zionism without Otzma Yehudit.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Itamar Ben-Gvir was not invited to a key election strategy meeting organized by Benjamin Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich.
- The meeting, titled "Saving the Right," will be held in Jerusalem with rabbis and heads of religious institutions.
- Ben-Gvir reportedly learned of the meeting only after being contacted by the press.
- The exclusion occurs amid ongoing tensions and a lack of direct communication between Ben-Gvir and Netanyahu.
- Netanyahu and Smotrich recently signed a surplus agreement, leaving Ben-Gvir's party outside of this arrangement.
Otzma Yehudit Chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir was not invited to a pre-election strategy meeting scheduled for Wednesday between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Religious Zionism Chairman Bezalel Smotrich. The closed-door event, titled "Saving the Right," was to be held in Jerusalem with dozens of rabbis and heads of religious institutions to discuss preparations for the 2026 elections, including work division and maximizing voter turnout for the right-wing bloc. According to a report by Kan Reshet Bet, Ben-Gvir was unaware of the meeting until contacted by the news outlet. This exclusion comes amid ongoing tension between Ben-Gvir and Netanyahu, with the two having not held a personal conversation in recent weeks, only meeting in broader forums. Otzma Yehudit views this as a further sign of distance and evidence that Netanyahu plans to form a broad government with Gantz, excluding Otzma Yehudit. The meeting follows a surplus agreement signed between Netanyahu and Smotrich earlier this week, leaving Otzma Yehudit without such an arrangement. Ben-Gvir's absence is particularly notable given the meeting's focus on unifying religious leaders and institutions for the upcoming election campaign. The report also recalled that on Tuesday, the Likud and Religious Zionism parties finalized their surplus agreements, excluding Ben-Gvir. Following this, Ben-Gvir stated that the Likud refused to sign a surplus agreement with Otzma Yehudit as part of an effort to diminish the party and keep him out of a unity government Netanyahu is planning with Gantz, echoing statements made by former Labor MK Eli Goldschmidt.
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