Full Breakdown
Ben-Gvir Says Netanyahu Is Moving to Exclude Him From the Next Government
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Core Claim and Political Stakes
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir told 103 FM that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is attempting to keep him out of the coalition that will form after the general elections scheduled for September 1, 2026. Ben-Gvir described the alleged move as “personally hurtful” and argued that securing a large share of Knesset seats would make exclusion “difficult.” He added that his presence, in his view, strengthens both the State of Israel and the right-wing bloc.
Background and Coalition Tensions
Ben-Gvir’s Otzla Yehudit party has been a junior partner in Netanyahu’s current government, but the alliance has faced friction. Ultra-Orthodox coalition partners, notably the Shas party led spiritually by former Sephardi chief rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, have warned voters against supporting Otzla Yehudit. Earlier, former minister Chili Tropper criticized Ben-Gvir for refusing to moderate statements on harsher conditions for Palestinian security prisoners, claiming those remarks encouraged Hamas’s abuse of hostages in Gaza.
Official Statements & Responses
Ben-Gvir rejected Trop Tropper’s accusation, saying, “I respect Chili, but it pains me that he has adopted Hamas’s narrative.” He argued that the violence in Gaza predates any of his proposals and that blaming him gives Hamas an excuse. Ben-Gvir also accused former prime minister Naftali Bennett of using bots and “imaginary users” on social media, challenging him to a public debate over Bennett’s coalition with Mansour Abbas of the Ra’am party and the latter’s record on ultra-Orthodox military enlistment.
Verbatim Quote
- “I respect Chili, but it pains me that he has adopted Hamas’s narrative.” — Itamar Ben-Gvir, National Security Minister