Netanyahu and Smotrich Forge Alliance, Isolating Ben-Gvir Ahead of Elections
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich are forming a joint campaign ahead of elections, strengthening their alliance while sidelining National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The partnership includes a shared field headquarters and coordinated efforts to boost voter turnout. Ben-Gvir was excluded from a recent joint event, and sources suggest he is pursuing a personal agenda, leading to increased tension and competition for right-wing votes, particularly concerning the Defense Minister position.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu and Finance Minister Smotrich are forming a joint election campaign, excluding Itamar Ben-Gvir.
- A joint field headquarters has been established to coordinate efforts and boost voter turnout for Netanyahu and Smotrich.
- Ben-Gvir was not invited to a recent convention attended by Netanyahu and Smotrich, signaling a growing rift.
- Sources claim Ben-Gvir is pursuing a personal agenda and competing with Netanyahu for right-wing votes.
- The dispute over the potential Defense Minister post has intensified tensions between the parties.
- Netanyahu reportedly seeks to curb Ben-Gvir's ambitions by weakening his party's electoral performance.
As elections approach, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich, the Finance Minister, are deepening their alliance, establishing a joint campaign headquarters and coordinating efforts to "save the right-wing camp." This collaboration excludes Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party, reportedly due to Netanyahu's desire to prevent Ben-Gvir from becoming Defense Minister. Sources in Likud and Religious Zionism highlight the strengthening personal relationship between Netanyahu and Smotrich, particularly after Ben-Gvir's temporary departure from the government. The joint campaign includes hundreds of activists working for both parties, aiming to boost voter turnout and coordinate on election day. A joint field headquarters has been established, led by Israel Gantz of Likud and Omer Rehamim of Religious Zionism, to manage these efforts.
Despite Smotrich's party holding a large convention where Netanyahu was a prominent guest, Ben-Gvir was not invited, signaling a growing distance. Ben-Gvir has expressed resentment over Netanyahu's refusal to appear with him publicly. Both Likud and Smotrich's party claim Ben-Gvir is isolating himself and pursuing a personal agenda focused on his own success, rather than the bloc's victory. Likud sources accuse Ben-Gvir of trying to gain votes at their expense and focusing on internal bloc rivalries instead of campaigning against the opposition.
Relations have further strained after Ben-Gvir stated that the October 7th events would not have occurred if he had been Defense Minister. This statement was perceived as provocative, reinforcing the Netanyahu-Smotrich axis and intensifying the competition for right-wing voters. While Ben-Gvir's office maintains his support for Netanyahu is unconditional, the focus has shifted to who will be the next Defense Minister, a post Ben-Gvir has publicly targeted. Netanyahu reportedly aims to curb Ben-Gvir's ambitions by weakening his party's electoral prospects. A source from Religious Zionism criticized Ben-Gvir's strategy, stating it creates an internal bloc conflict rather than focusing on external challenges, and noted that Smotrich's earlier attempts at unity were rejected by Ben-Gvir and others.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 1Other 1
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
