Netanyahu's Circle Signals Willingness to Exclude Ben-Gvir from Unity Government
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Sources close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have informed Gadi Eisenkot that Netanyahu will not insist on including Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party in a potential unity government. This move appears to be a strategic shift by Netanyahu, possibly influenced by the prospect of Eisenkot forming a government and international pressure against Ben-Gvir's inclusion. Netanyahu had previously promised to include his right-wing partners, but now seems to be maneuvering to exclude Ben-Gvir, despite Ben-Gvir's demands for key ministerial posts.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu's circle signaled to Gadi Eisenkot they won't insist on including Itamar Ben-Gvir in a unity government.
- The move suggests a strategic shift by Netanyahu amid potential government formation by Eisenkot.
- Netanyahu had previously promised to include his right-wing coalition partners.
- Otzma Yehudit previously accused Netanyahu of planning to exclude them from the coalition.
Sources close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have conveyed messages to Gadi Eisenkot, who has been tasked with forming a government, indicating that if discussions arise about establishing a unity government, Netanyahu and the Likud party will not insist on including Otzma Yehudit. This development comes as Netanyahu has recently intensified calls for unity with "change bloc" parties, likely in response to the assessment that Eisenkot may succeed in forming a government and potentially displace Netanyahu. This marks a shift from Netanyahu's campaign promises to uphold his partners, specifically naming Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. However, Netanyahu now appears to recognize that including Ben-Gvir in a unity government might be untenable, leading to the signals about his exclusion.
A source within the change bloc questioned the consistency of this stance with Netanyahu's prior commitments to Ben-Gvir. The response suggested that international criticism of Ben-Gvir's conduct would preclude his inclusion in the government. It is also suggested that Netanyahu might be seeking to distance himself from Ben-Gvir regardless of a unity government, with Eisenkot's potential success providing a convenient pretext.
This situation echoes reports from late September, where sources close to then-US President Donald Trump reportedly opposed Ben-Gvir's inclusion in the next Israeli government, with one associate stating that "a government with Ben-Gvir is not an option." The report suggested Trump wished to ensure Netanyahu did not cooperate with him, or possibly Smotrich.
Prior to the elections, tensions were evident as Netanyahu repeatedly stated he would not offer Ben-Gvir key ministerial portfolios such as National Security, Defense, or Justice, despite Ben-Gvir's stated intention to demand the Defense portfolio. Otzma Yehudit had previously criticized Netanyahu, interpreting his statements as a decision to exclude Ben-Gvir and Otzma Yehudit from the coalition, potentially to bring Eisenkot in and assign those portfolios to the left. The Likud party dismissed these reports as "an absolute lie," asserting that Netanyahu called for unity among right-wing parties.
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