Netanyahu Urges Right-Wing Unity Amid Ben Gvir Opposition

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich to form a political alliance ahead of upcoming elections to prevent the fragmentation of right-wing votes. Netanyahu cited the 1992 elections as a cautionary example, arguing that party fragmentation then led to defeat and the subsequent "Oslo disaster." He announced plans to summon both leaders to facilitate unity, while acknowledging the existence of personal "bad blood" between the two men.

Itamar Ben Gvir rejected the proposal and accused Netanyahu of publicly contradicting their private conversations. Ben Gvir claimed the Prime Minister intends to weaken the Otzma Yehudit party to enable a broad national government with Yeshar Party Chairman Gadi Eisenkot.

Ben Gvir further asserted that polling data indicates a merger between Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionism would cost his party three to four seats, a loss he claims could cause the right-wing government to fall.