Trouble on Israeli right as Ben-Gvir refuses election pact with Smotrich
Trouble is brewing on Israel 's far right two months before an election, after hardline ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich failed to form an alliance between their parties. The two ministers, who are notorious for shocking remarks about their desire to subjugate Palestinians , have been urged to unite by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid a split on the right. Mr Smotrich…
Political unrest is swirling in Israel's far right two months before national polls, after Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, two hardline ministers, failed to forge a coalition between their parties. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged the two to join forces to prevent a right-wing split, but Ben-Gvir has declined. Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism party, had previously expressed openness to a pact, stating it was "time for unity" among nationalist parties.
However, Ben-Gvir, who leads Otzma Yehudit, has adamantly refused to enter an alliance. Both parties are coalition allies of Netanyahu's Likud party, which is described as the most right-wing government in Israeli history. Ben-Gvir, who has overseen the Gaza military campaign and settlement expansion in the West Bank, accused Netanyahu of attempting to form an alliance with opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot.
He vowed to "do everything" to prevent this and advocated for a right-wing government only. Netanyahu's Likud party expressed anger over Ben-Gvir's decision to alienate Smotrich, claiming the move would crown a left-wing government. As National Security Minister, Ben-Gvir has advocated for the death penalty for Palestinian militants and publicly taunted Israeli jail detainees, even suggesting the killing of 30 to 40 Gazans nightly.
Smotrich, Israel's Finance Minister, has been a key figure in the West Bank settlement drive and has faced sanctions from some countries for incitement. Recent polls show Netanyahu facing a challenging re-election bid in the October 27 vote. Smotrich could potentially lead a larger bloc in the Knesset and attempt to form a coalition, but Netanyahu's long-standing tenure in power, despite crises and personal scandals, remains in doubt.
While opposition parties criticize his conduct and war handling, many leading opposition figures back a hardline stance on Iran and the Palestinian issue. A staunch opponent of Palestinian statehood, Netanyahu has also rejected a US-backed proposal for a phased Gaza withdrawal in exchange for Hamas disarming.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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