Netanyahu Reportedly Willing to Exclude Ben-Gvir From Future Government

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be prepared to form a unity government without his current coalition partner, Itamar Ben-Gvir, according to reports. Sources close to Netanyahu's Likud party have reportedly informed Gadi Eisenkot's camp that Likud will not insist on including Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party in coalition negotiations. This information was published by "Ynet," citing individuals familiar with the discussions.

Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of the Yashar party, has been tasked with forming a new government and is working to assemble a majority for a change in power. Netanyahu has recently intensified his own efforts to form a unity government with parties from the bloc seeking to replace him. There appears to be a growing assessment within the government camp that Eisenkot might succeed in forming a coalition.

Excluding Ben-Gvir would mark a significant departure from Netanyahu's previous commitments. During the election campaign, Netanyahu had repeatedly stated his intention to keep his right-wing allies, including Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionism party, in a future government. However, sources from Netanyahu's circle have now indicated to Eisenkot's camp that Otzma Yehudit's participation is not a prerequisite for a unity government agreement.

When questioned about reconciling this with Netanyahu's past loyalty pledges to Ben-Gvir, the response was that the national security minister faces significant international criticism and "simply will not be part of the government." It is also suggested that Netanyahu may wish to distance himself politically from Ben-Gvir, with Eisenkot's attempt to form a new government providing a potential opportunity.

Pressure from Washington may also be a factor. Associates of former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously advised Netanyahu against including Ben-Gvir in a future government, with one source stating in late September that "A government with Ben-Gvir is out of the question." Trump reportedly wants to prevent Netanyahu from collaborating with the far-right politician again, and Smotrich's participation may also be undesirable.

Tensions between Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir had already escalated during the election campaign, particularly concerning ministerial portfolios. Ben-Gvir, who previously headed the National Security Ministry, had sought the Defense Ministry, but Netanyahu indicated he would not cede that, nor the National Security or Justice ministries, preferring to keep them within Likud. Otzma Yehudit reacted with outrage, accusing Netanyahu of preparing to exclude them and seeking Eisenkot as a partner, stating "The truth is coming to light."

The Likud party has strongly denied the "Ynet" report, calling it a "complete lie" and stating that Netanyahu did not offer to exclude Ben-Gvir and Otzma Yehudit. The party asserted that the Prime Minister had instead called for a unity government based on the parties of the right-wing political bloc.