Ben-Gvir Accuses Netanyahu of Promising EU He Won't Be in Next Government

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir engaged in a sharp political confrontation with the Likud party on Sunday, ahead of upcoming elections and amid disputes over the composition of the next right-wing government. Ben-Gvir claimed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office had committed to European Union countries that he would not be included in the next government. He warned that attempts to weaken his Otzma Yehudit party could jeopardize the continuation of right-wing rule.

In a special statement, Ben-Gvir stated that information he received and verified indicated the Prime Minister's office had assured several EU nations that he would not be part of the next government, with messages conveyed to foreign ministers and higher-ranking officials. "I say the following with deep sorrow, after hearing such reports for a long time, but I prayed these things were not true," Ben-Gvir said, directly addressing Netanyahu. "Save the effort, don't count on legitimacy from the left."

Ben-Gvir urged the Prime Minister to focus on defeating enemies, preserving Israeli democracy, and advancing right-wing policy, rather than seeking favor from the left. He asserted that Netanyahu would not gain legitimacy from his political rivals, even if he tried to approach them. "Don't count on the left that has spilled your blood for decades, they will hate you forever. Save your effort. Bibi needs a strong Ben-Gvir, not a strong Eisenkot!" he declared.

The minister also accused the Likud of trying to reduce Otzma Yehudit's strength to five Knesset seats, warning that such a move could harm the right-wing bloc's ability to form a government. He suggested that his party's voters might not necessarily switch to other parties if Otzma Yehudit is weakened, and some might not vote at all. "Ben-Gvir voters will not go to vote for other parties. A strong Ben-Gvir is the hope and reason for hundreds of thousands of right-wing voters to go out and vote," he added.

The Likud rejected Ben-Gvir's claims, calling them "false political spins and friendly fire." However, the party clarified that Netanyahu intends to include the current coalition partners in any future government, inviting any Zionist party to join based on their platform and the current composition. The Likud used the response to call on right-wing voters to rally behind the party, presenting a scenario of an alternative government led by Gadi Eisenkot with the participation of Arab parties, Yair Golan, Avigdor Lieberman, and Naftali Bennett. "Now we must vote Likud to prevent a left-wing government of Eisenkot with the Arab parties, Yair Golan, Lieberman, and Bennett, and to complete the necessary security mission together with our American friends," the party stated.