Netanyahu Associates Signal Flexibility on Ben-Gvir's Coalition Role
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Associates of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly signaled to Gadi Eisenkot that Itamar Ben-Gvir's party might not be included in a unity government, despite Netanyahu's prior promises. The Likud party denied these reports, stating Netanyahu supports a right-wing unity government. Disagreements over ministerial portfolios, including defense and justice, had already emerged between Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir prior to the election.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu's associates reportedly told Gadi Eisenkot that Itamar Ben-Gvir's party might be excluded from a unity government.
- The Likud party denied reports of flexibility on Ben-Gvir's inclusion, calling them 'complete nonsense'.
- Netanyahu had previously promised to include Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich in any government he formed.
- Associates of former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously urged Netanyahu not to include Ben-Gvir in his government.
- Ben-Gvir sought the defense minister role, while Netanyahu stated he would not grant him defense or national security ministries.
Associates of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have indicated to Gadi Eisenkot, the head of the Yashar party and tasked with forming a government, that Netanyahu and the Likud party would not insist on including Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party in a unity government. This information was reported by Ynet parliamentary correspondent Yuval Karni on Wednesday, November 11. The Likud party has denied this report, calling it "complete nonsense" and stating that Netanyahu has been advocating for a unity government based on right-wing bloc parties. In recent days, Netanyahu has increased calls for parties within the "change bloc" to unite. Karni suggests this shift may be due to Eisenkot's potential to form a government and replace Netanyahu as prime minister.
During the election campaign, Netanyahu had promised to include his partners, specifically naming Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich of Religious Zionism, in any government he formed. When questioned about this new signal, sources within the "change bloc" were reportedly told that Ben-Gvir "simply will not enter the government," with reference made to international criticism of the minister. This follows a report from October 2026, also by Ynet, stating that associates of then-U.S. President Donald Trump had demanded Netanyahu exclude Ben-Gvir from the next government, calling a "government with Ben-Gvir not an option."
Disagreements between Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir predate the election. Ben-Gvir had intended to demand the defense minister portfolio for himself and the justice ministry for Tali Gottlieb. However, Netanyahu had repeatedly stated he would not grant him the defense or national security ministries, which Ben-Gvir currently heads, nor the justice ministry. Otzma Yehudit had previously declared that Netanyahu had already decided to exclude their party from the coalition and instead bring in Eisenkot.
Mentioned
