Ben-Gvir to Seek New Elections Citing Foreign Interference
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Otzma Yehudit chairman and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir announced his party will petition for repeat elections, citing foreign interference and bias. He stated that without this alleged interference, a right-wing government would have been formed. Ben-Gvir also plans to propose legislation requiring a pledge of allegiance to Israel. The announcements occur as political negotiations for a new government are underway, with Ra'am expressing interest in joining the coalition.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Otzma Yehudit will petition for repeat elections due to alleged foreign interference, Minister Ben-Gvir announced.
- Ben-Gvir claims improper foreign intervention and funding influenced the election results.
- The party plans legislation requiring leaders to swear allegiance to Israel.
- Ben-Gvir defended his record as Minister of National Security, citing achievements.
- Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas expressed his party's desire to join the next government coalition.
Minister of National Security and Otzma Yehudit chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir announced Tuesday that his party will petition for repeat elections, alleging gross interference in the electoral process. "It is inconceivable that they would crudely interfere with the voters' will and expect us to remain silent," Ben-Gvir stated at a faction meeting in the Knesset. He thanked the over 320,000 citizens who voted for Otzma Yehudit, calling it "tremendous support" and a "clear statement" from the public seeking "real, unapologetic right-wing leadership."
However, Ben-Gvir sharply criticized the election campaign, claiming "serious bias and improper intervention by foreign countries and foreign funding" influenced the results. He declared that Otzma Yehudit would soon file a petition demanding new elections based on these claims. Ben-Gvir also reiterated his political stance, stating, "We will not be loyal, we will not vote, we must not lend a hand to a government that relies on Hamas supporters." He argued that the hundreds of thousands who voted right-wing did not do so to form a government with "terror supporters."
Ben-Gvir further announced that Otzma Yehudit will propose legislation requiring anyone seeking to lead the country to swear allegiance to Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, a bill already submitted by MK Yitzhak Kroizer. He defended his tenure as Minister of National Security, highlighting achievements such as changing conditions for terrorists in prisons, distributing weapons to citizens, combating illegal construction in the Negev, and establishing emergency response teams.
These statements come amid ongoing political negotiations for a new government. Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas indicated his party's desire to join the next coalition, predicting that the "Netanyahu bloc will become the opposition within a few hours." Conversely, a senior source from the "change bloc" stated that all participants agreed "a government relying on Arabs will not be formed."
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