Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's Minister of National Security and leader of the Otzma Yehudit party, known as an extremist figure, is planning for the October 27 elections, which he claims could give his party more seats in the Knesset and make him more powerful in a right-wing government led by Benjamin Netanyahu.
Ben-Gvir's Increasing Influence
In a rare interview, Ben-Gvir emphasized that his goal is not to replace Netanyahu but to make him more dependent on extremist parties that demand the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank. He stated, "I want Netanyahu to be Prime Minister. He is a leader. I prefer him a million times more than Eizengot."
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The Israeli Minister of National Security hopes that by increasing his party's seats, he can compel Netanyahu to meet their demands. Ben-Gvir, who is seeking the Ministry of Defense, wants more oversight over the Israeli armed forces and aims to advance his plans for Gaza and the West Bank. He believes there should be fewer restrictions on military operations and is seeking "voluntary migration" of Palestinians from these areas.
International and Domestic Challenges
Ben-Gvir expressed his views on Gaza by stating, "If Israel wants to continue and not be destroyed, it must take over all of Gaza. Gaza can be a Riviera. It is a beautiful place, but we cannot have even one Hamas member there." He also calls for the resignation of two million Palestinians living in the West Bank, saying, "We must accept sovereignty in Judea and Samaria (West Bank), where we also want to encourage voluntary migration."
Polls indicate that Ben-Gvir may capitalize on a political shift in Israel, especially among young people who are attracted to his confrontational style. In a survey of Jewish voters, nearly three-quarters identified as right-wing or center-right for the first time.
However, Ben-Gvir faces significant criticism both domestically and internationally. Critics accuse him of inciting war crimes and undermining the foundations of Israeli democracy. Ephraim Halevy, former head of the Mossad, described him as "a source of major problems."
The future of Ben-Gvir's policies depends on the strength of his party in the elections and his ability to influence official Israeli policies. He wants Israel to have greater security control over the West Bank, where Palestinians are envisioned as the heart of a future state.
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