Ben-Gvir to 'Post': Netanyahu should stand with me rather than Eisenkot -interview

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s alleged desire to form a “unity government” with Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot in an interview with The Jerusalem Post this week, warning that such a coalition would severely “harm Israel.”

“Netanyahu wants a unity government with Eisenkot and various other figures,” Ben-Gvir said. “Maybe that would look a little better to certain people around the world, but it would not actually benefit Israel. It would harm Israel.”

The remarks come amid growing tensions between the prime minister and national security minister over the composition of the next government and Ben-Gvir’s political ambitions.

On Sunday, Ben-Gvir claimed that Netanyahu had promised European officials he would be excluded from the next coalition – an allegation the Likud party denied. Netanyahu has also openly ruled out giving Ben-Gvir the Defense Ministry, a portfolio the minister has openly sought.

Ben-Gvir’s far-right Otzma Yehudit party has been a key member of Netanyahu’s coalition. Recent polling has projected Otzma Yehudit to win approximately eight seats in the next Knesset.

Ben-Gvir calls for right-wing government as Eisenkot, Netanyahu unable to hit 61-seat coalition

“We cannot have a government that is split down the middle,” the national security minister added. “The government needs to be able to make decisions in one direction or another. I want a right-wing government,” the national security minister told the Post.

Most recent polling, though, has shown neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition bloc as managing to secure a 61-seat majority in the upcoming October 27 elections.

Asked how such a government could be formed, Ben-Gvir expressed confidence that another right-wing government was possible, saying that voter turnout on election day would enable Netanyahu’s bloc to secure a Knesset majority.

“I think we can form a government … if we get all our voters out into the streets,” he said.

Despite the tensions between Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir, the minister said he wanted the prime minister to remain in his position after the elections.

Ben-Gvir added that rather than pursuing a partnership with Eisenkot, Netanyahu would need to “stand with” him.

“I love Netanyahu very much,” Ben-Gvir said. “I don’t want Eisenkot to be prime minister.”

“Netanyahu needs to stand with me on the Right and pursue a full, full right-wing government. Only that way will we be able to save the State of Israel.”

When asked about red lines on whom to partner with, Ben-Gvir first condemned the Arab parties, Ra’am and the Joint List, stating that they “side with terrorists” and that they seek to harm the country.

He said that a government with other party leaders in the opposition bloc, such as former prime minister Naftali Bennett, would also harm the country.

Ben-Gvir also said he still believed that the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties –  Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ) – could also still be coalition partners, despite recent tensions over their stance regarding haredi conscription.

Ben-Gvir, whose views are often characterized as extreme, has been criticized for rhetoric opponents say has contributed to the deterioration of Israel’s international image. He has also faced criticism over rising crime rates, particularly in the Arab sector, during the government’s term.

Ben-Gvir tells 'Post': I want to do for the IDF what I did for the police

Speaking about his plans to become defense minister, Ben-Gvir said, “I want to do for the IDF what I did for the police.”

“I believe that, if I become defense minister, I can dismantle the Palestinian Authority, encourage emigration, recruit many haredim who are not currently enlisting in the IDF, and change the rules of engagement,” he added.

“There are many things I want to do as defense minister. That is why I want to put forward my candidacy for the position.”

Asked what qualified him for the defense minister role despite criticism that he had not served in the IDF, Ben-Gvir pointed to his warnings about Hamas before October 7.

“That is exactly what they told me before October 7, when I said we should bomb Gaza. All the generals sitting in the room told me, ‘You don’t understand. You haven’t served in the military. We understand Hamas. Hamas wants quiet. Hamas wants to lower the flames. Hamas just wants to get its economy in order. You don’t understand; you haven’t served in the military.’”

“Well, in the end, I was right, and all the senior generals were wrong,” he said.

Amid criticism of Ben-Gvir’s approach to Israel’s international standing, he said that, as defense minister, he would challenge critics to consider how they would respond to similar threats in their own countries.

“I think that, ultimately, the decisive question to ask any person is this: Would you want this to happen in your own country?” he said.

“Would you be willing to have Hamas on your border, coming to destroy you, wanting to murder you and kill your babies? Every leader would tell you, ‘No, I would not accept that.’ So why should we accept it?”

Ben-Gvir pointed to his visit to the United States, saying he had received a “very warm welcome” at US President Donald Trump’s home and remained in contact with American officials in Israel.

“I actually think that many diplomats and ambassadors can understand what I am saying, particularly in the United States,” he noted.

“There is an understanding that we are fighting a war against jihadists, against ISIS, against people who hate us and want to destroy us.”

This article is the first half of the complete interview with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which will be published on Sunday on JPost.com.