Ben-Gvir Clashes With Likud Spokesperson Over Eisenkot's Potential Government Role

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir engaged in a heated live television debate with Likud Spokesperson Guy Levi over the possibility of Gadi Eisenkot joining the next government. Ben-Gvir demanded that the option be ruled out, while Levi assured Ben-Gvir of his guaranteed place in the coalition and accused him of trying to siphon votes from the Likud.

The confrontation, which took place on Channel 14, centered on Ben-Gvir's insistence that Levi explain why the Likud would consider including Eisenkot in a future government led by Benjamin Netanyahu. Levi reiterated that the Likud intends to form a right-wing government and that Ben-Gvir would be part of it, but he did not commit to excluding other potential additions who would accept its core principles.

Levi accused Ben-Gvir of campaigning against the Likud rather than its political rivals, suggesting this was an attempt to attract voters from Netanyahu's party. He stated that Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly affirmed Ben-Gvir's future role as a senior minister. Levi argued that Ben-Gvir's focus on the coalition's composition was electoral, aimed at drawing votes from the Likud.

Ben-Gvir rejected the accusation, emphasizing his past actions to support Netanyahu and claiming he had refused offers from within the Likud to work against the Prime Minister. He pressed Levi again on why Eisenkot was being considered, questioning the rationale behind keeping the option open.

Levi countered that the Likud, not Ben-Gvir, was actively opposing Eisenkot, while Ben-Gvir was attacking the ruling party. Despite attempts by the moderators to clarify the dispute, the exchange became increasingly acrimonious. Levi maintained that the Likud would form a right-wing government and welcome those who align with its values, but he estimated the chances of Eisenkot joining as very low.

Ben-Gvir insisted on a principled refusal of Eisenkot's potential inclusion, arguing that if the Likud views him as left-wing and campaigns against him, there is no justification for considering him for a future coalition. He also criticized Eisenkot's political stances, suggesting he might seek to form a government with Arab parties. Levi acknowledged agreement with some criticisms of Eisenkot but did not commit to ruling out his inclusion outright, stating that while they agreed with Ben-Gvir's points, the question remained why the Likud kept the option open.