Netanyahu's Circle Signals Ben-Gvir Exclusion from Unity Government Talks
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Sources close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have informed Gadi Eisenkot that the Likud party will not insist on including Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party in a potential unity government. This comes despite Netanyahu's prior commitments to his coalition partners. The reported exclusion of Ben-Gvir is partly due to international criticism and prior objections from figures close to former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu's circle signaled to Gadi Eisenkot that Itamar Ben-Gvir would be excluded from a unity government.
- The Likud party reportedly will not insist on including Otzma Yehudit in future government talks.
- The move contradicts Prime Minister Netanyahu's pre-election promises to coalition partners.
- International criticism of Ben-Gvir's conduct is cited as a reason for his potential exclusion.
- Circles close to former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously expressed objections to Ben-Gvir's inclusion.
Sources close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have conveyed messages to Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, indicating that the Likud party would not insist on the inclusion of the Otzma Yehudit party in a future government if unity government negotiations were to open. This report, published by "Winnet," contrasts with Netanyahu's pre-election pledges to his coalition partners, including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
Netanyahu has recently intensified calls for a unity government with "change bloc" parties, amid the possibility that Eisenkot could form a government and end his term as prime minister. The reported messages from Netanyahu's circle suggest Ben-Gvir would not be part of such a government, partly due to international criticism of his conduct.
The move also comes in light of previous objections from circles close to former U.S. President Donald Trump. In late September, reports indicated that individuals close to the president had clarified to Netanyahu that a government including Ben-Gvir would be unacceptable, and also raised reservations regarding Smotrich.