Ben-Gvir Claims Deal with Eisenkot; Likud Calls It "Bluff"
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Otzma Yehudit Chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of promising the U.S. a government excluding his party, calling it a "bluff." The Likud denied the claim, stating Ben-Gvir would be in the next government. The dispute stems from a report suggesting U.S. support for a moderate coalition. Ben-Gvir urged supporters to vote for his party to ensure his inclusion, while the Likud warned against Eisenkot forming a government if his party wins more seats.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Itamar Ben-Gvir accused PM Netanyahu of promising the U.S. a government excluding his party.
- The Likud party called Ben-Gvir's claims a "bluff" and vowed he would be in the next government.
- A "Israel Hayom" report suggested U.S. backing for a moderate coalition led by Eisenkot.
- Ben-Gvir urged supporters to vote for Otzma Yehudit to ensure his participation in government.
- The Likud warned that Eisenkot leading the largest party could result in a "government of generations' tears."
Otzma Yehudit Chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir claimed on election day that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had promised the U.S. administration that he would form a unity government with Gadi Eisenkot after the elections, excluding Ben-Gvir's party. Ben-Gvir warned his supporters against him being left in the opposition and urged them to vote for his party.
The Likud party quickly dismissed Ben-Gvir's claims, calling them a "bluff" and stating that Ben-Gvir would be part of the next government led by Netanyahu. The dispute arose from a report in the "Israel Hayom" newspaper, which suggested that the Trump administration was promoting the formation of a broad government in Israel post-election, favoring a moderate coalition to advance political settlements. The report also mentioned the possibility of a presidential pardon for Netanyahu as part of this framework, with the Prime Minister allegedly committing in closed talks to forming a moderate coalition and abandoning his right-wing partners.
Ben-Gvir released a statement to his supporters detailing the alleged "deal," which he said included signing political settlements and granting Netanyahu a pardon. He appealed directly to voters, stating, "If you want a strong Ben-Gvir in the government, and not a weak Ben-Gvir in the opposition, I need your support at the ballot box," urging them to vote for Otzma Yehudit, marked with the letter Bet.
The Likud responded sharply, reiterating that Ben-Gvir would be part of Netanyahu's government. The party also attempted to shift focus from the internal dispute to the electoral competition with Eisenkot's party, warning that if Eisenkot's party received more mandates than the Likud, the President might task Eisenkot with forming the government, leading to a "government of generations' tears." The Likud urged voters to cast their ballots for the Likud party.
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