Ben-Gvir Celebrates Election Results, Warns Against Unity Government
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir delivered a victory speech following election exit polls, highlighting his party's growth and legislative achievements. Ben-Gvir's remarks followed high Arab voter turnout and lower right-wing participation.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir celebrated his party's growth and claimed legislative achievements like death penalty for terrorists.
- Ben-Gvir warned against a potential unity government, calling it a "terrible mistake" that would not be forgiven.
- He stated he could "hear the hopes of terrorists" and vowed to prevent their demands from being met.
- The speech occurred amid high Arab voter turnout and lower participation in right-wing strongholds.
Following the initial election exit poll results, Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir delivered a dramatic speech reflecting on his party's journey and achievements, while issuing a stern warning against a potential unity government. Ben-Gvir, chairman of the Otzma Yehudit party, expressed pride in his party's growth from near non-existence to securing hundreds of thousands of votes as an independent entity.
He highlighted key reforms he claims his party enacted during the current term, including fulfilling promises to legislate the death penalty for terrorists, ending perceived lenient conditions for terrorists in prisons, combating illegal construction in the Negev, establishing a National Guard, and increasing police recruitment. Ben-Gvir emphasized that for him and his supporters, the election was a "mission" rather than just a political contest, asserting his belief in governing decisively to protect Israel's Jewish identity and security.
Directly addressing opponents of his policies, Ben-Gvir stated he could "hear the hopes of the terrorists in prison" for the return of "summer camps" and the "hopes of illegal construction offenders" to seize state lands. He vowed to continue fighting to prevent these hopes from materializing.
He warned that any move to compromise Israel's interests or Jewish character would be a grave error that the Israeli people would not forgive.
Ben-Gvir's speech came amidst high Arab voter turnout and relatively low turnout in right-wing strongholds. Earlier in the day, he had visited Kafr Qasim, issuing an emergency call to right-wing voters about the high turnout in the Arab sector. He concluded by thanking his party members, activists, and specifically Benzi Gopstein for their dedication, expressing hope for good news for the people of Israel.
