Itamar Ben Gvir Distinguishes His Broad Appeal From Smotrich's Narrow Base

Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's National Security Minister, intensified his criticism of Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich, highlighting the electoral and ideological differences between their parties. In a Radio 103 interview, Ben Gvir emphasized a significant gap between their voter bases, stating that while Smotrich targets a subset of the national-religious community, Ben Gvir appeals to all sectors of Israeli society. "The difference between those who vote for us is like heaven and earth," he said, asserting, "I am Itamar for everyone."

Ben Gvir praised Smotrich as a very smart politician and talented minister but noted his narrower constituency. He stressed that his own party reaches secular, traditional, and ultra-Orthodox Jews alike, positioning himself as a representative of the entire Israeli public. This distinction underscores the ongoing competition within the right-wing religious political landscape ahead of future elections.