Ben-Gvir Urges Netanyahu to Target Eisenkot, Not Him, for Votes
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on October 13 to seek votes from Gadi Eisenkot rather than his own party, emphasizing the need for a purely right-wing bloc. Ben-Gvir also defended his record on crime in the Arab sector, claiming significant reductions in murders, and justified his policies in the Negev. He expressed his intention to reform the IDF and reiterated his desire to dissolve the Palestinian Authority. The minister's political maneuvering comes as Netanyahu strengthens ties with Bezalel Smotrich, potentially impacting Ben-Gvir's electoral prospects and his ambition for the defense minister role.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged PM Netanyahu to target Gadi Eisenkot for votes, not him.
- Ben-Gvir called for a purely right-wing bloc and criticized Netanyahu's moves toward Bezalel Smotrich.
- He claimed success in reducing crime in the Arab sector and defended Negev demolition policies.
- Ben-Gvir wants to reform the IDF and dissolve the Palestinian Authority.
- His party, Otzma Yehudit, is polling at eight Knesset seats.
- Netanyahu's alliance with Smotrich could sideline Ben-Gvir and his defense minister aspirations.
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, speaking at the "People of the Country" conference on October 13, urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to form a unity government with Gadi Eisenkot. Ben-Gvir stated that Netanyahu intends to form a government of unity with the Yashar party, advising the prime minister, "Instead of taking mandates from me, take them from Eisenkot." He also expressed condolences to the family of 14-year-old Yair Wilensky, who died on October 12 during a Hezbollah ammunition explosion while on a school trip in northern Israel.
Ben-Gvir insisted that the bloc must remain "entirely right-wing" and criticized Netanyahu's rapprochement with Bezalel Smotrich and campaigns against his own party. "Instead of campaigning against me, instead of trying to take my votes, take them from Eisenkot," Ben-Gvir implored. He added that if Netanyahu wants to form a right-wing government, he should attract voters from outside the bloc, specifically from Eisenkot's potential support base.
The Minister of National Security reiterated his desire to dissolve the Palestinian Authority and implement significant changes within the IDF, drawing parallels to reforms he enacted in the Prison Service, rapid response units, and police. Despite a high and rising crime rate in the Arab sector during his tenure, Ben-Gvir claimed success, citing the addition of 4,000 police officers, salary increases, and the creation of a National Guard. He asserted that murders of women have decreased by approximately 50% compared to the previous year, with 21 cases this year versus 38 last year, and that there are 20 fewer murders in the Arab sector overall.
Ben-Gvir defended his policy of demolishing homes in the Negev, stating it was a necessary measure to restore government control, a step not taken in 40 years in areas like Tel Sheva and Kseifa. He also defended the controversial noose-shaped pins he wears and distributes in schools, claiming they "reduce the number of terrorist attacks." Ben-Gvir's party, Otzma Yehudit, is polling at eight Knesset seats. With elections approaching, Netanyahu's strengthening ties with Smotrich may leave Ben-Gvir sidelined from the right-wing bloc. Ben-Gvir's ambition to become defense minister post-election suggests Netanyahu may be working to diminish his influence.
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