Ben-Gvir Urges Ultra-Orthodox Not to Join Leftist Government
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir appealed to the ultra-Orthodox public not to join a potential leftist minority government, accusing the left of hypocrisy and hatred towards their faith. He thanked his party's supporters for a strong election showing, with Otzma Yehudit growing to seven seats. The appeal comes amid intense negotiations for a minority government that would rely on the abstention of United Torah Judaism, which is demanding concessions on conscription laws. Prime Minister Netanyahu is also meeting with coalition partners to counter these efforts.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Minister Ben-Gvir urged the ultra-Orthodox not to join a leftist government, citing their alleged hatred of their faith.
- Otzma Yehudit grew to seven seats in the recent elections, becoming the second-largest party in the right-wing bloc.
- The "change bloc" is negotiating with United Torah Judaism for a minority government, seeking their abstention.
- United Torah Judaism demands a conscription law without quotas or sanctions for yeshiva students.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu is meeting with allies to prevent the formation of a left-wing government.
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir thanked supporters of his Otzma Yehudit party following the recent elections, highlighting their significant vote count of 326,634. He noted that this was the first time the party ran independently and emphasized its growth, becoming the second-largest party in the right-wing bloc, behind only United Torah Judaism. Ben-Gvir pledged to continue fighting for his constituents, stating that the "battle for the Jewish state, for Israel's security, against terror supporters within us and against the legal gang that has hijacked democracy" is ongoing.
A significant portion of Ben-Gvir's message was directed at the ultra-Orthodox public, addressing ongoing negotiations between the "change bloc" and United Torah Judaism regarding the formation of a minority government. He warned the ultra-Orthodox against accepting overtures from the left, which he claimed were offering concessions on conscription solely to secure their support for a government. Ben-Gvir accused left-wing parties of hypocrisy, noting their previous campaign rhetoric against the ultra-Orthodox, and asserted that they have "nothing in common" with the left, which he believes "hates you, detests your faith, despises your rabbis, and will do everything to dismantle you and the faithful bloc and uproot Judaism from the country."
Ben-Gvir cautioned that if the ultra-Orthodox aid the left in forming a government, the first step would be to strengthen the judicial system, which he believes would then persecute them. He concluded by expressing hope to serve within the government in the upcoming term but vowed to continue working for the public regardless of whether his party is in the coalition or opposition.
The appeal comes amid intensive talks between senior figures in the change bloc and United Torah Judaism. The change bloc is reportedly exploring a complex political maneuver to establish a minority government led by Gadi Eisenkot, contingent on United Torah Judaism abstaining from votes. In exchange for this security net, United Torah Judaism is demanding an agreed-upon conscription law and a regulated status for yeshiva students. MK Yitzhak Goldknopf reportedly stated that the party will not back down from its demands for a conscription law without quotas or sanctions, as instructed by the Council of Torah Sages.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held separate meetings with Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Ben-Gvir himself to discuss strategies to prevent the formation of a left-wing government, in light of the ongoing negotiations for a minority government involving United Torah Judaism's abstention.
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