Ben-Gvir Criticizes Netanyahu's "Drinking Campaign" to Consolidate Right-Wing Votes
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Otzma Yehudit Chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party for trying to win over his party's voters. Ben-Gvir warned that Netanyahu seeks a broad government that could sideline him and urged supporters to vote for Otzma Yehudit to ensure his influence. He argued that the number of recommendations for prime minister is more important than party size, citing a poll showing a large gap between Likud and another party. Ben-Gvir also highlighted his past actions as proof of his effectiveness in advancing right-wing policies.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Otzma Yehudit Chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir accused Prime Minister Netanyahu's Likud of a "drinking campaign" to absorb right-wing votes.
- Ben-Gvir warned that a weakened Otzma Yehudit could lead to his exclusion from the next government.
- He argued that the number of recommendations to the President, not party size, determines government formation.
- Ben-Gvir cited a poll showing Likud with 30 seats and Gadi Eisenkot with 20, creating a 10-seat gap.
- He stated that voting for Otzma Yehudit is an automatic vote for Netanyahu as Prime Minister.
- Ben-Gvir reviewed his past actions, including illegal home demolitions and gun license distribution.
Otzma Yehudit Chairman and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir has publicly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party for attempting to draw votes away from his party. Ben-Gvir alleged that Netanyahu is aiming to form a broad government that would include Gadi Eisenkot, a move he believes would diminish his own influence. In a Facebook post ahead of Shabbat, Ben-Gvir urged his supporters to resist what he termed the Likud's "drinking campaign," warning that a weakened Otzma Yehudit could result in him being excluded from the next government. He stated, "I need your help, so that Ben-Gvir will be in the next government." Ben-Gvir claimed Netanyahu has indicated he does not intend to keep him as Minister of National Security or offer him the Defense Ministry, while simultaneously expressing a desire for a wide coalition with Eisenkot. Ben-Gvir framed the upcoming election as a choice between a strong Ben-Gvir in government or a strong Eisenkot. He specifically challenged the notion that right-wing voters should consolidate their votes within the Likud to ensure it remains the largest party. Ben-Gvir argued that the number of recommendations given to the President for forming a government is more crucial than a party's size. He cited a Channel 14 poll, presented by Shlomo Filber, which he claimed showed the Likud with 30 seats and Eisenkot with 20, creating a "huge and insurmountable gap of 10 seats in favor of the Likud." Ben-Gvir clarified that voting for Otzma Yehudit does not contradict support for Netanyahu as Prime Minister, stating, "You know that every vote for Itamar Ben-Gvir is an automatic vote for Prime Minister Bibi." However, he reiterated that a weaker party position would limit his ability to influence future government policy. The minister also reviewed his past four years in office, highlighting his demands for the dismissal of the Attorney General, changes in prison policies, demolition of illegal structures in the Negev, and the expansion of civilian gun permits. He asserted that 10,000 illegal homes were demolished in the Negev over the past year and a half, and 300,000 firearms were distributed to citizens during his tenure. Ben-Gvir described his approach as a shift from an apologetic stance to a more assertive one, aiming to "change the apologetic right-wing perception to an offensive perception, a perception that is not afraid to stand its ground."
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