Ben Gvir Criticizes Likud’s 'Broad National Government' Slogan, Likud Responds Calmly

On Tuesday afternoon, the Likud party released a campaign video featuring their slogan "Likud - Broad National Government," which sparked criticism from Itamar Ben Gvir, chairman of Otzma Yehudit. Ben Gvir expressed concern that the slogan indicated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s intention to form a government including Benny Gantz and Gadi Eizenkot, whom he described as left-wing figures undermining right-wing policies. He warned that a unity government with Eizenkot would derail judicial reforms and empower leftist commentators like Gali Baharav-Miara and Yitzhak Amit. Ben Gvir accused Eizenkot and Gantz of sabotaging military operations and demanding full concessions to Hamas, arguing that right-wing voters deserve a right-wing government.

In response, Likud spokesperson Guy Levy tweeted that Ben Gvir was not truly worried, explaining the slogan referred to the current coalition and openness to other Zionist parties, dismissing the idea of exchanging one boycott for another. Levy acknowledged Ben Gvir’s campaign rhetoric but reassured that the slogan’s meaning remained consistent.

Prime Minister Netanyahu had previously stated in a June press conference his intention to form a broad national government, excluding reliance on Arab parties, to achieve consensus and end boycotts. This statement also drew criticism from Ben Gvir, who called it "very troubling" and cited past governments including left-wing figures like Tzipi Livni and Benny Gantz as examples of failures that hindered decisive right-wing policies.