National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said at the Israel Hayom Conference on Sunday that the national security portfolio will remain with his Otzma Yehudit party in the next government. He added that he and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich should run separately in future elections, arguing that Smotrich does not appeal to the periphery.
Speaking at the Israel Hayom Conference, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir staked out his party's electoral strategy, asserting that the national security portfolio — currently held by his Otzma Yehudit faction — will remain in its hands after the next election. He also called for a split electoral run with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, citing Smotrich's lack of appeal to the periphery, a term referring to Israel's outlying development towns and regions. The remarks underscore ongoing tensions within the religious-Zionist camp over coalition dynamics and voter bases.
2 developments
- DevelopingAnalyst Yaakov Bardugo chides Ben Gvir and Smotrich: 'Win the election first'
- DevelopingFinance Minister Smotrich says his party not committed to coalition negotiations or agreements
- DevelopingNetanyahu working to merge Smotrich and Ben Gvir to prevent wasted votes — report
- StrongSmotrich attacks IDF chief over reported refusal to meet, accuses him of joining 'witch hunt'
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
- Internal intake