Billionaire Bill Ackman Urges Netanyahu to Exclude Ben-Gvir and Smotrich

American billionaire Bill Ackman has called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to exclude ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich from the next Israeli government, stating their positions and statements have significantly damaged Israel's international image, particularly in the United States. Ackman, founder of Pershing Square Capital Management, argued on the platform "X" that the two ministers have caused "enormous damage" to Israel's reputation through their words and actions. He suggested that forming a government without them could signal a new political direction for Israel, potentially helping to restore credibility and advance the Abraham Accords, while also improving relations with both the Democratic and Republican parties and broader segments of American society.

These remarks come just two days before Israeli general elections, amidst intense competition between Netanyahu's bloc and opposition parties. The composition of the future government is a subject of debate regarding its political direction and foreign relations. Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, currently serving in ministerial roles within Netanyahu's religious nationalist coalition, have faced widespread criticism for their policies and stances concerning Palestinians and Israel's Arab minority. The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other nations have imposed sanctions on the ministers over accusations of inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Representatives for Ben-Gvir and Smotrich did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Polls indicate Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party is projected to win around ten seats in the Knesset, an increase from six in the previous election, while Smotrich's Religious Zionism party is expected to secure eight seats, up from seven. Ackman's comments are seen as part of a larger discussion about the potential shape of the next Israeli government and whether Netanyahu might distance himself from his far-right allies. Nimrod Goren, head of the Israeli Policy Forum "Mitvim," suggested these statements might reflect a desire among circles close to former US President Donald Trump for Netanyahu to form a national unity government that includes opposition parties.

However, this possibility faces political hurdles, as key opposition figures like Gadi Eisenkot have ruled out joining a government led by Netanyahu. Ackman had previously praised Netanyahu's performance in protecting Israel since the October 7, 2023 attacks and has endorsed Trump for the 2024 US presidential election. Trump recently reiterated his support for Netanyahu's continued leadership. The Abraham Accords, brokered by the Trump administration in 2020, established formal relations between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, and later Morocco. Meanwhile, thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to demand an independent investigation into the October 7 attacks, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths.