‘A government of paralysis’: Ben-Gvir rejects unity with Eisenkot after election setback
Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, has rejected the idea of a unity government with Gadi Eisenkot following disappointing exit polls in the 2026 Israeli election. Ben-Gvir's party was projected to win 12 seats in the Knesset. He warned that a unity government with Eisenkot would be a 'government of paralysis' and urged against it, emphasizing his party's growth and security achievements.
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- ✓ Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party was projected to win 12 seats in the Knesset.
- ✓ Ben-Gvir warned against a unity government with Gadi Eisenkot, calling it a 'government of paralysis'.
- ✓ Ben-Gvir emphasized his party's growth from a small party to an independent political force with significant support.
What changed
Itamar Ben-Gvir publicly rejected the idea of a unity government with Gadi Eisenkot, citing concerns it would lead to a 'government of paralysis'.
Live updates
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Ben-Gvir rejects unity government with Eisenkot
Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, has rejected the idea of a unity government with Gadi Eisenkot following disappointing exit polls in the 2026 Israeli election. Ben-Gvir's party was projected to win 12 seats in the Knesset. He warned that a unity government with Eisenkot would be a 'government of paralysis' and urged against it, emphasizing his party's growth and security achievements.
Why it matters
The 2026 Israeli election saw a strong showing by far-right parties, with Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party emerging as a significant force. The election results have implications for the formation of the next Israeli government. Ben-Gvir's stance on a unity government with Eisenkot is crucial given the projected seat count of his party.
What is confirmed
- Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party was projected to win 12 seats in the Knesset.
- Ben-Gvir warned against a unity government with Gadi Eisenkot, calling it a 'government of paralysis'.
- Ben-Gvir emphasized his party's growth from a small party to an independent political force with significant support.
Still unconfirmed
- Ben-Gvir expressed satisfaction with his party's performance in the exit polls.
What to watch next
- The final Knesset seat count and official government formation
- Ben-Gvir's future role in the Israeli government
- Eisenkot's response to Ben-Gvir's rejection of a unity government
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (15)
- Time Magazine — Exclusive: Ben-Gvir’s Plan to Push Netanyahu Further Right
- Al Jazeera — ‘Generation Right’: Israeli youth show strong support for the right
- The New York Times — Israel’s Most Vocal Far-Right Ministers Diverge in Election
- Ynetnews — ‘A government of paralysis’: Ben-Gvir rejects unity with Eisenkot after election setback
- The Times of Israel — 'A terrible mistake': Ben Gvir warns Netanyahu against notion of unity government with Eisenkot
- The Jerusalem Post — Israel Election 2026: Itamar Ben-Gvir, RZP projected to win 12 seats in next Knesset
- Yahoo — On election day, Israeli settlers look beyond Netanyahu to far right
- Yahoo — Ben-Gvir reminds supporters of all he has achieved after disappointing exit polls for far-right Otzma Yehudit
- Haaretz — 'Israelis are stupid': Inside Ben-Gvir's tense election night
- www.ynetnews.com — Great Britain
- The Jewish Chronicle — ‘I cast my first ever vote aged 17 in Israel’s most pivotal election… thanks to the Hebrew calendar’
- www.ynetnews.com — ‘A government of paralysis’: Ben-Gvir rejects unity with ...
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