Ben-Gvir Seeks Security Portfolio, Gaza Riviera, and Palestinian Emigration

In an interview with TIME magazine, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir outlined his political aspirations for the upcoming elections, which he hopes will make Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more dependent on right-wing parties. Ben-Gvir expressed a desire to lead the defense ministry and advocated for the "conquest" of Gaza, envisioning it as a "Riviera" and promoting "voluntary emigration" of Palestinians. He stated that Hamas presence in Gaza is unacceptable and that "Gaza has always been ours. Israel is a tiny country. We need to be wider."

Ben-Gvir also detailed his ambitions for the West Bank, calling for its official annexation and the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority. He warned that the PA is training for attacks and aims to repeat the October 7th massacre. He also suggested encouraging millions of Palestinians to leave their homes, emphasizing that people would "choose the option to leave themselves."

Reflecting on his ideological roots, Ben-Gvir acknowledged Meir Kahane's legacy but distanced himself from some of his more extreme past views, stating he no longer believes "all Arabs should be expelled." He now believes some Arabs who recognize Israel as a Jewish state and are loyal to it can remain. Ben-Gvir has previously championed controversial policies, such as encouraging Jewish prayers on the Temple Mount, which caused significant backlash.

Addressing the failures of October 7th, Ben-Gvir deflected some blame from Netanyahu, suggesting that intelligence agencies and the military were more culpable. "What screwed him on October 7th is our intelligence," he stated, adding that while Netanyahu is "not completely blameless, there are many people much more guilty than him in this story." Ben-Gvir dismissed the possibility of a unity government, believing it would prevent him from achieving his goals, and expressed confidence that Israel's increased strength would lead to international respect.