Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he wants the Defense, National Security, and Justice ministries to remain with the Likud Party in the new government to be formed after a potential election victory. The statement has brought the tension regarding post-election cabinet sharing with current National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir back to the agenda.
According to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, Netanyahu made evaluations regarding his new cabinet plan during a press conference held in the northern Israeli city of Acre. Netanyahu's message to keep key ministries within Likud was met with a reaction from the far-right Jewish Power Party front.
In a statement on September 23, Ben-Gvir had requested that the Ministry of Defense be given to him in the government to be formed after the elections. For the Ministry of Justice, he had pointed to Tally Gotliv, the number two name of the Jewish Power Party.
Following Netanyahu's move, a statement from the Jewish Power Party claimed that the plan in question aims to leave Ben-Gvir out of the coalition. The statement used the phrase "What was hidden has been revealed" and alleged that Netanyahu wants to include National Unity Party leader Gadi Eisenkot in the government.
Ben-Gvir had also reacted to Netanyahu at a conference organized by Yedioth Ahronoth and Ynet two days ago. Accusing Netanyahu of planning to form a unity government with Eisenkot, Ben-Gvir argued that the government should remain on a strictly right-wing path, saying, "Instead of taking the seats from my hands, go take them from Eisenkot."
News Source: 12punto
