Netanyahu Refuses to Share Stage with Itamar Ben-Gvir at Altalena Ceremony
On Monday, during the unveiling ceremony of the Altalena ship findings, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu avoided any contact or joint photo opportunity with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Netanyahu insisted on delivering his statement alone outside the event area.
Ben-Gvir's associates criticized Netanyahu's behavior, interpreting it as a sign of the Prime Minister's intention to align with former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot after the upcoming elections. They remarked that Ben-Gvir had been a valuable partner for four years, and questioned why Netanyahu would now boycott him and avoid even being photographed together. They compared Netanyahu's conduct to past treatment of Menachem Begin, expressing regret over the Prime Minister's attitude toward a coalition partner.
A similar incident occurred during the 2022 election campaign at the Hakafot Hashniyot event in Kfar Chabad. Ben-Gvir, who was seated on the main stage, was asked by organizers to step down before Netanyahu's arrival because the Prime Minister refused to appear while the Otzma Yehudit leader was present. After some discussion, Ben-Gvir complied and later returned to the stage.
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