Netanyahu Bloc Faces Uncertainty as Smotrich Avoids Meeting While Ben Gvir Commits

As Israel approaches the 2026 elections, the Netanyahu bloc is showing signs of internal strain. While Itamar Ben Gvir has committed to sitting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has avoided such a commitment. Smotrich is actively campaigning against the prospect of a government led by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, warning right-wing voters of a "huge deception" behind Eizenkot’s moderate image. He claims such a government would dismantle West Bank settlements, evict Jewish residents, and undermine Israel’s security buffer.

Despite his harsh rhetoric against Eizenkot, Smotrich’s criticism is less about the individual and more focused on potential alliances with left-wing figures like Yair Golan’s Democratic camp or Mansour Abbas’s Ra’am party. His relationship with Netanyahu is complicated; even at their most cooperative, there is a deep layer of mistrust and principled criticism. This tension could resurface if Smotrich perceives that Netanyahu threatens his core priorities.

Looking ahead, if Netanyahu fails to secure a reliable majority of 61 Knesset votes after the elections, the partnership between him and Smotrich may ultimately collapse. This internal uncertainty within the right-wing bloc highlights the fragile nature of coalition-building in the upcoming political landscape.