Netanyahu's Cabinet Plans Spark Coalition Tensions Ahead of Elections
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that key security and justice ministries will remain with Likud in the next government, sparking a fierce dispute with Otzma Yehudit. The party accuses Netanyahu of planning to remove Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and potentially include Gadi Eisenkot in a broader coalition. Otzma Yehudit views these statements as a move to sideline them and transfer portfolios to the left. The conflict escalates less than two weeks before the Knesset elections.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu stated key security and justice ministries will stay with Likud.
- Otzma Yehudit accuses Netanyahu of planning to remove Minister Ben-Gvir from the coalition.
- The party claims Netanyahu intends to bring in Gadi Eisenkot instead of Ben-Gvir.
- Netanyahu's declarations have intensified a dispute with Otzma Yehudit before elections.
- Otzma Yehudit views the move as an attempt to transfer portfolios to the political left.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the portfolios for National Security and Defense will remain with the Likud party in the next government. This declaration has ignited a sharp dispute with Otzma Yehudit, less than two weeks before the Knesset elections. Otzma Yehudit claims Netanyahu's statements are a maneuver to remove Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from the coalition and potentially bring in Gadi Eisenkot.
Netanyahu announced at an event in Acre on Thursday that he intends to keep the Ministry of National Security within Likud, a ministry currently headed by Otzma Yehudit chairman Ben-Gvir. This follows a similar statement a day earlier that the Defense Ministry would also stay with Likud, contrary to Ben-Gvir's stated ambition to become the next defense minister. Reports also suggest Netanyahu wishes to retain the Justice Ministry for his party.
These pronouncements have raised questions within Otzma Yehudit about the party's future in the next coalition and Ben-Gvir's potential role. The situation is further complicated by speculation that Netanyahu might seek to form a broader government after the elections, possibly by including Eisenkot, the leader of the National Unity Party.
Otzma Yehudit interprets Netanyahu's statements as a sign that he is preparing to replace his current partners with other political figures. In a strong response, the party stated, "The cat is out of the bag: the Prime Minister's statements that the Defense Ministry, the National Security Ministry, and Justice will remain with Likud reinforce the conclusion that a decision has been made to remove Minister Ben-Gvir and Otzma Yehudit from the coalition, to bring in Eisenkot instead, and to give these portfolios to the left." Otzma Yehudit concluded their message to Netanyahu with, "Dear Prime Minister, only the people will decide. Ben-Gvir is strong, Israel is strong!"
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