The rift between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has deepened, according to a report by Ma’ariv Monday morning, prompting the prime minister to attempt a rapprochement.
“It is difficult to assess where this is heading,” officials cited by the report said. “There is currently a rift between the prime minister and Ben-Gvir. We hope they will meet or at least talk before the Knesset plenum convenes on Wednesday and find a way to end this.”
The sources emphasized that Ben-Gvir “has no interest in breaking up the government, but he also has no interest in remaining in a government that is right-wing in name only. Ben-Gvir has a list of more than demands, all election promises, not only those made by Otzma Yehudit, but also by the Likud and the entire Right. They should fulfill 2-3 things out of everything promised to the public.”
One key issue Ben Gvir is pressuring Netanyahu on is the implementation of a powerful and offensive security policy. Since Netanyahu took office terror attacks against Jews have only increased, from both within and outside Israel, and security should be the government’s top priority. It’s people like Ben Gvir who seek to shake up the status quo and for good reason. He is a reminder to Netanyahu, the government, and the Israeli people that “free” and “sovereign” are not words that can be used to define Israel when its enemies continue – and are practically enabled – to chip away at its very rightful and legal existence.