Israel’s governing Likud party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has criticized National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for refusing to form an electoral alliance with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party ahead of the upcoming election.
Likud warned that Ben-Gvir’s decision could divide right-wing voters and increase the opposition’s chances of forming the next government. The party accused him of putting personal interests ahead of maintaining a broad right-wing coalition under Netanyahu.
Likud also argued that an opposition-led government could reverse policies supported by the current government, including its approach toward settlements in the West Bank and the Palestinian issue. The party urged Ben-Gvir to show greater political responsibility and reconsider his decision.
Recent opinion polls suggest that Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power party could win around nine seats in the 120-member Knesset. At the same time, a poll published by Maariv indicated that Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party could fail to secure any seats.
Such an outcome could weaken Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc and improve the opposition’s prospects of building a governing coalition after the election, scheduled for October 27.
The election is considered particularly important for Netanyahu’s political future as he faces criminal allegations including bribery, fraud and breach of trust. His current coalition is widely regarded as the most right-wing government in Israel’s history.
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