Ben-Gvir blasts Netanyahu over reported Smotrich-Feiglin merger talks, unity appeal

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, of the Otzma Yehudit party, expressed outrage on Saturday after reports emerged of discussions between Bezalel Smotrich, the leader of the Religious Zionist Party and Finance Minister, and Moshe Feiglin, the founder and chairman of the Zehut Party, potentially merging their parties. Ben-Gvir stated that he was astonished by the reports of advanced negotiations for a merger with his mediation, and that he and Smotrich issued a staged call for unity with him, whose sole purpose was to weaken Feiglin's demands.

The minister warned that this was merely a cynical ploy to divert attention and embarrass him. Ben-Gvir added that he was not Benny Gantz, emphasizing his distinct identity. This follows a series of tense exchanges between the Otzma Yehudit Party leader and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the past few days. Netanyahu urged Ben-Gvir and Smotrich to agree to run together in the upcoming election in a video post on social media, claiming that every time they ran together, they won, while their separate runs resulted in losses.

Netanyahu also acknowledged personal grievances between the two but urged them to overcome them. Ben-Gvir responded by accusing Netanyahu of wanting a smaller Otzma Yehudit Party to join forces with Eisenkot to establish a broad national government. His comments risked the country on personal whims, according to Netanyahu.