Likud Criticizes Ben Gvir for Hindering Right-Wing Unity
On Friday, the Likud party launched a pointed attack on Itamar Ben Gvir, the National Security Minister and chairman of Otzma Yehudit, over the ongoing deadlock in efforts to unify the right-wing factions. Likud accused Ben Gvir of jeopardizing right-wing votes by refusing to collaborate with Bezalel Smotrich, the chairman of the Religious Zionist Party. This refusal, they argue, could facilitate the formation of a government led by Gadi Eisenkot.
In their statement, Likud asserted that Ben Gvir's decision to disregard tens of thousands of right-wing votes could pave the way for a left-wing government comprised of Eisenkot, Avigdor Liberman, Yair Golan, and Arab parties. They framed the situation as a critical choice for Ben Gvir: to either support a broad national government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or risk the establishment of an alternative government.
The Likud party highlighted the achievements of the Netanyahu administration in recent years, including the advancement of Jewish community construction in Judea and Samaria, operations against Iranian influence, and successful actions against senior figures in terrorist organizations. They warned that these accomplishments could be undone if a different government takes power.
Furthermore, Likud cautioned that an Eisenkot-led government, supported by Liberman, Golan, and Arab parties, would likely pursue policies that could lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state, capitulate to international pressures, and undermine Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. They concluded their statement with a direct appeal to Ben Gvir, urging him to set aside personal ambitions and demonstrate maturity and responsibility for the sake of the right and the Land of Israel.
