Netanyahu's Circle Open to Coalition Without Ben-Gvir
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
Associates of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have signaled a willingness to form a coalition without Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party, despite prior promises. This development follows Gadi Eisenkot receiving the mandate to form a coalition government. Likud leadership denied these reports, insisting on a right-wing coalition. International pressure, including from figures linked to Donald Trump, is cited as a factor in considering Ben-Gvir's exclusion.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu's circle signaled openness to a coalition excluding Itamar Ben-Gvir's party.
- Gadi Eisenkot has received the official mandate to form a coalition government.
- Likud leadership denied reports of deviating from a right-wing coalition commitment.
- International pressure, including from Trump-associated figures, is cited as a reason for potential exclusion.
- Ben-Gvir had previously sought key ministerial positions, which Netanyahu rejected.
Associates of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have indicated a willingness to form a coalition government without the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir. This potential shift, reported by Ynet, suggests a departure from pre-election promises to include key right-wing allies in any future government. The move comes as Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the New Hope party, has officially received the mandate to form a coalition.
Sources close to Netanyahu reportedly conveyed to Eisenkot that the Prime Minister and the Likud party would not insist on Ben-Gvir's inclusion in a future cabinet if negotiations for a broad unity government proceed. However, Likud leadership swiftly denied these reports, stating that Netanyahu's consistent call has been for a broad government based on the entire right-wing camp. Previously, Netanyahu had publicly guaranteed the inclusion of allies like Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, head of Religious Zionism, in any coalition.
The signals from Netanyahu's circle emerged after Eisenkot secured the coalition-forming mandate, with political observers noting Netanyahu's increased outreach to opposition parties due to the real possibility of Eisenkot forming a majority government. When questioned about the apparent contradiction between excluding Ben-Gvir and prior commitments, Netanyahu's associates cited strong international reactions to Ben-Gvir's political positions, suggesting he would not be part of a new ministerial lineup.
This development is reportedly influenced by pressure from Washington, with sources indicating that figures associated with former President Donald Trump have demanded the exclusion of far-right leaders from Israel's future government. Tensions between right-wing bloc partners were evident even before the election, with Ben-Gvir seeking the Defense Ministry and a Justice Ministry post for his associate Tali Gottlieb, demands Netanyahu publicly rejected, refusing even to grant Ben-Gvir the National Security Ministry.
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