Ben Gvir Rejects Netanyahus Call for Right-Wing Unity
Prime Minister Netanyahu's call for right-wing unity was rejected by Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who ruled out running with Smotrich in the next election.
Jerusalem, 28 August, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday that he will meet with Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday, calling on the right-wing bloc to unite and “not waste a single vote.”
His appeal came after recent polls showed Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party and political newcomer Ofer Winter’s Amcha Yisrael party each hovering around four Knesset seats, raising concerns that one or both could fall below the electoral threshold.
Ben Gvir responded that Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionism will not run together in the next election, calling the decision “final and absolute” and ruling out any talks or negotiations.
Instead, Ben Gvir urged Netanyahu to pursue two alternatives: unite all the smaller right-wing parties on a single list, or use Netanyahu’s reserved Likud slots to secure places for Smotrich and his allies, ensuring a right-wing victory and forming a coalition government.