Ben-Gvir accuses Netanyahu of planning to oust him, form unity gov't with Eisenkot

In late September, Ben-Gvir announced he would demand the defense minister post in the next government and called for MK Tally Gotliv to be justice minister after the upcoming October elections.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, head of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, issued a statement responding to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's presumed refusal to appoint him as defense minister should he continue to head the government after the upcoming elections. 

"The cat is out of the bag," the statement read. "The prime minister’s statements, indicating that the Defense Ministry, the National Security Ministry, and the Justice Ministry will all remain in the hands of the Likud, reinforce the conclusion that a decision has been made to oust Minister Ben-Gvir and Otzma Yehudit from the coalition, bring in Eisenkot instead, and hand these portfolios over to the Left."

Netanyahu: Defense Ministry will remain in Likud's hands

Netanyahu said Wednesday that his Likud party would keep the Defense Minister portfolio in a future government, while cautioning against distributing ministerial positions before the election results are known.

His statement came as Ben-Gvir continued his campaign to secure the portfolio for himself in a future Netanyahu-led government. Ben-Gvir has repeatedly affirmed he would demand the defense minister position as a condition of joining Netanyahu's coalition.

Ben-Gvir demands Defense Ministry, Tally Gotliv for justice minister in next gov’t

In late September, Ben-Gvir announced he would demand the defense minister post in the next government and called for MK Tally Gotliv to be justice minister after the upcoming October elections.

Otzma Yehudit stated that, as justice minister, Gotliv would focus on immediately firing the attorney-general as the first step in forming the next government. The party also said she would work to advance other measures aimed at reducing the power of the State Attorney’s Office.