Likud and Ben-Gvir Clash Over Next Government Formation
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
The Likud party and Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party are publicly clashing over the formation of the next Israeli government. Likud accused Ben-Gvir of spreading lies and harming the right-wing bloc's election chances, while Otzma Yehudit claims Likud is attacking Ben-Gvir to exclude him. The dispute highlights internal competition within the right-wing ahead of potential elections.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Likud accused Itamar Ben-Gvir of spreading lies and harming the right-wing bloc's election chances.
- Otzma Yehudit rejected Likud's claims, stating the party is attacking Ben-Gvir to exclude him from the next government.
- Otzma Yehudit cited statements suggesting Prime Minister Netanyahu might form a government without Ben-Gvir.
- The dispute involves accusations of weakening the right-wing bloc's chances of victory.
- The confrontation occurs amid intensifying competition within the Israeli right-wing over government formation.
The Likud party accused Itamar Ben-Gvir of spreading lies and harming the right-wing bloc's chances of winning the upcoming elections. Likud called on Ben-Gvir to cease what it described as a propaganda campaign against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the party, reportedly conducted via his Instagram page.
In a statement, Likud asserted that Ben-Gvir would remain a prominent minister in the next government, provided the right-wing bloc wins. The party criticized him for attacking allies instead of focusing on political rivals, warning that votes for other right-wing parties could lead to lost votes for the bloc.
Otzma Yehudit, Ben-Gvir's party, rejected Likud's accusations, claiming that Likud is the one attacking Ben-Gvir and seeking to exclude him from the next government. The party stated its "100% commitment" to Netanyahu and argued that Ben-Gvir helped prevent Netanyahu's ouster when figures within Likud moved against him.
Otzma Yehudit cited statements and positions it believes indicate Netanyahu's intention to form a government without Ben-Gvir. These include past remarks about Ben-Gvir not holding the National Security portfolio in the next term, and statements by Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter about the possibility of a unity government excluding Ben-Gvir. The party also referenced media reports about Netanyahu's office sending messages to European countries suggesting Ben-Gvir would not be part of the next government, as well as comments from Likud figures about forming a government in partnership with the Minister.
Otzma Yehudit concluded that Likud's "harm is painful" and that if the party decides to exclude Ben-Gvir and form a government with the Minister, it should declare this clearly instead of blaming Ben-Gvir for the dispute. This confrontation occurs amid intensifying competition within the Israeli right-wing over the shape of the next government and potential post-election alliances, with both sides trading accusations about weakening the bloc's chances of victory.
