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Smotrich enters joint ticket talks with former Likud MK Feiglin as Likud slams Ben-Gvir

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and former Likud MK Moshe Feiglin are discussing a joint electoral ticket.
  • Tensions are high between National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Likud party following Ben-Gvir's announcement that Otzma Yehudit will not run with the Religious Zionist Party.
  • Likud urged Ben-Gvir to unite with Smotrich, warning that splitting the right-wing vote could lead to a left-wing government.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and right-wing politician Moshe Feiglin have initiated discussions about forming a joint electoral ticket for the upcoming October elections. Feiglin, a former Likud Knesset member known for his libertarian leanings, previously co-founded the activist group Zo Artzeinu, which opposed the Oslo Accords.

By deciding to waste tens of thousands of right-wing votes, Ben-Gvir has chosen to bring a left-wing government to power.

— Likud partyCriticizing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's decision not to run with the Religious Zionist Party.

These talks occur amidst escalating tensions between National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Likud party. The friction intensified after Ben-Gvir declared that his party, Otzma Yehudit, would not run in alliance with the Religious Zionist Party, led by Smotrich.

They must unite. Every time we ran together, we won. When we ran separately, we lost.

— Benjamin NetanyahuUrging right-wing parties to form a united electoral front.

Likud has publicly called on Ben-Gvir to set aside his "personal ego" and unite with Smotrich. The party warned that by choosing to run separately, Ben-Gvir risks "wasting tens of thousands of right-wing votes" and potentially paving the way for a left-wing government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously urged both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich to form a united front, emphasizing that past electoral successes were achieved when they ran together.

overcome his personal ego

— Likud partyCalling on Itamar Ben-Gvir to prioritize unity over personal ambition.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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