Smotrich Open to Coalition with Eisenkot, Netanyahu
Translated & summarized from Hamal by baba
Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of the Religious Zionism party, said he would join a government led by Gadi Eisenkot if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also included. Smotrich aims to continue as Finance Minister and expand his ministry's control over land and planning authorities. He also recounted past disputes with Itamar Ben-Gvir over ministerial appointments, which led to Shas receiving the Religious Affairs Ministry instead of Religious Zionism.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Bezalel Smotrich would join a government led by Gadi Eisenkot if Benjamin Netanyahu is also included.
- Smotrich intends to remain Finance Minister and expand control over land and planning authorities.
- Smotrich cited a past dispute with Itamar Ben-Gvir over ministerial roles.
- Religious Zionism did not receive the Religious Affairs Ministry due to Ben-Gvir's actions.
- Shas ultimately received the Religious Affairs Ministry after Ben-Gvir's refusal to delay a split.
Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of the Religious Zionism party, stated that he would be open to joining a government led by Gadi Eisenkot, provided Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was also part of the coalition. Speaking to residents in Petah Tikva, Smotrich emphasized his commitment to the right-wing bloc, saying, "I am not leaving the right-wing bloc. If they want to form a government with Netanyahu and me, it is possible." He added that Religious Zionism would not be left "homeless" and criticized current efforts towards unity, stating, "The reality is that we are talking about unity and they are boycotting us."
Smotrich also expressed his intention to continue as Finance Minister in the next term, aiming to take control of the Israel Land Authority and the Planning Administration, similar to actions taken by Moshe Kahlon. He revealed he is researching necessary legislative changes to implement significant reforms in the Negev and Galilee regions, in conjunction with the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and Galilee.
Recounting past experiences, Smotrich mentioned consulting with former general Moti Almoz, who used an analogy of an olive tree needing to be close to the irrigation pipe to thrive, symbolizing the importance of proximity to power and resources. Smotrich applied this lesson to his government roles, explaining how his leverage with the Defense Ministry and the IDF enabled him to advance processes.
Smotrich further detailed why he did not receive the Religious Affairs Ministry in the previous term, attributing it to Itamar Ben-Gvir's actions. He claimed that after the last election, he contacted Aryeh Deri, chairman of Shas, suggesting that Religious Zionism, with its 14 mandates compared to Shas's 11, should receive the ministry. However, Smotrich alleged that Ben-Gvir insisted on splitting from Religious Zionism during coalition negotiations, despite Smotrich's requests to remain united. Smotrich stated he even asked Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu to persuade Ben-Gvir to delay the split, but Ben-Gvir refused, leading to Shas ultimately receiving the ministry.
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