Right-Wing Parties Clash Ahead of Elections, Ben-Gvir Excluded from Key Summit
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The Likud and Religious Zionism parties are holding an emergency conference for rabbis and activists ahead of the upcoming elections, excluding National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his Otzma Yehudit party. Ben-Gvir's party is angered by the exclusion and the Likud's refusal to sign a surplus agreement with them, viewing it as an attempt to marginalize them. Organizers claim the event was tailored for a specific audience, but the exclusion follows other perceived slights against Ben-Gvir.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Likud and Religious Zionism are holding an election rally excluding Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party.
- Otzma Yehudit claims the exclusion is part of a Likud effort to sideline them from a future government.
- The Likud and Religious Zionism signed a surplus agreement, leaving Otzma Yehudit without one.
- Ben-Gvir's party views the exclusion and lack of surplus agreement as clear signals from Netanyahu.
- Organizers stated the conference was specifically for Religious Zionism's student and activist base.
With only three weeks until the 26th Knesset elections, a significant rift has emerged within the right-wing bloc. The Likud party and the Religious Zionism party are set to hold an emergency conference for prominent rabbis and heads of institutions within the Religious Zionism movement. The event, titled "Saving the Right, Mobilizing for the Victory of the National Camp," will be led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The stated goal of the conference is to establish a network of thousands of activists and encourage tens of thousands of voters to go to the polls. However, the National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his Otzma Yehudit party have been excluded from the event, a move that has sparked anger and deepened divisions within the bloc.
Sources within Otzma Yehudit expressed fury over the non-invitation, viewing it as a continuation of efforts to sideline them from a future government. They claim the Likud refused to sign a surplus agreement with Otzma Yehudit as part of an attempt to diminish their party and keep Ben-Gvir out of a unity government the Likud is planning with the Member of Knesset. The Likud and Religious Zionism signed their own surplus agreement on Tuesday, a decision made after consultations where Netanyahu determined Religious Zionism needed it most to ensure they pass the electoral threshold.
Otzma Yehudit is now the only party in the bloc without a surplus agreement, unless they sign with Ofer Winter's Am Israel party. Concerns are high within Ben-Gvir's party, with some noting that Netanyahu has recently avoided being photographed with him. Reports also suggest that the Prime Minister's office has assured international parties that Ben-Gvir will not serve in the next government.
Organizers of the conference dismissed claims of a boycott, stating the meeting was specifically designed for Religious Zionism's student and activist base. However, this exclusion follows a series of events causing concern for Otzma Yehudit. Parties have ten more days to submit their surplus agreements.
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