Ben Gvir: Netanyahu’s office pledged to the European Union to exclude me from the next government

Tel Aviv - Ofoq News - Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office of promising countries in the European Union not to include him in the next Israeli government, in light of the escalating disputes between the two sides regarding the distribution of ministerial portfolios and the form of the ruling coalition after the elections.

Ben Gvir said: “According to the reliable and confirmed information I received, Netanyahu’s office has officially pledged to the European Union countries that Ben Gvir will not be in the next government.”

This statement comes amid increasing tension between Netanyahu and Ben Gvir, against the backdrop of the future of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party in the next coalition, and Ben Gvir’s ambition to take over the defense portfolio, in addition to his commitment to retaining the position of Minister of National Security.

Netanyahu had announced, according to Israeli media reports published on October 15, that the Ministries of Defense and National Security would remain under the control of the Likud Party if he formed the next government, which angered Ben Gvir’s party and prompted him to accuse the Prime Minister of seeking to exclude him and seeking the help of his political opponents, including Gadi Eisenkot.