Netanyahu Holds Secret Meeting With Ben Gvir and Smotrich Ahead of Elections
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a secret meeting with Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich to coordinate political strategy and counter Ofer Winter ahead of the elections.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a secret meeting on Tuesday evening with ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv to coordinate political moves ahead of the upcoming elections, according to Channel 14 political correspondent Moti Kastel.
The dramatic tripartite meeting, which had not been previously publicized, focused on coordinated efforts to counter Ofer Winter, the chairman of the "Amech Yisrael" party, and strategize joint steps for the campaign.
The meeting comes amid heightened tensions between Netanyahu and Ben Gvir. Earlier, the Otzma Yehudit leader accused the Prime Minister's Office of sending messages to international actors indicating that he and his party would not be part of the next government.
Meanwhile, Otzma Yehudit has laid down rigid coalition demands, targeting the Ministry of Defense for Ben Gvir and the Ministry of Justice for MK Tally Gotliv. Additionally, Ben Gvir presented a security platform advocating voluntary migration from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, revised open-fire regulations, the demilitarization of the Palestinian Authority, and increased salaries for combat soldiers.
