Smotrich Confirms Ben Gvir's Past Ra'am Talks, Leaves Door Open for Eisenkot

Finance Minister and Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich confirmed in a podcast interview published on Wednesday that National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir previously agreed to a framework for sitting with the Ra'am party. Smotrich also stated that he does not rule out joining a government that includes Gadi Eisenkot, though he emphasized his commitment to the right-wing bloc.

During the interview, the interviewer mentioned past contacts between Likud and Ra'am prior to the formation of the Bennett-Lapid government, noting that Baruch Marzel claimed Ben Gvir also agreed to the arrangement. Smotrich confirmed this, stating unequivocally that Ben Gvir had indeed agreed to the concept at the time.

Smotrich criticized right-wing figures who considered cooperating with Mansour Abbas's party, presenting himself as the one who thwarted the move. "There was a temporary blindness in the right wing, and good friends of mine followed the false sweet talk of Mansour Abbas," Smotrich said. "I sounded the alarms, brought the materials, the recordings, the articles, and prevented it."

Regarding future coalitions, Smotrich noted that the right-wing bloc could secure more than 61 seats if voter turnout is high and votes are not wasted on parties failing to cross the electoral threshold. When asked about a scenario where Gadi Eisenkot proposes forming a government alongside Netanyahu and Religious Zionism, Smotrich replied in the affirmative.

However, when asked if he would agree to such a government without Itamar Ben Gvir, Smotrich made his position clear: "No, I am not ready for boycotts." Addressing the possibility of including Yair Golan, Smotrich called him a far-left politician with extreme views, though he reiterated that a unity government should theoretically include everyone willing to agree on basic guidelines, while stressing that his primary political home remains the national camp.