Netanyahu calls for Otzma Yehudit and RZP to unite, Ben-Gvir signals his opposition

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir and Religious Zionist Party leader Bezalel Smotrich to unite for the upcoming election, citing historical losses when right-wing parties ran separately. Netanyahu stated, "Every time we ran together, we won. When we ran separately, we lost." He emphasized that unity would create a strong party, warning that Smotrich is near the electoral threshold and a failure to unite could lead to a left-wing government.

Ben-Gvir, don't bring down the Right. I did not understand your video.

Ben-Gvir, however, opposed the merger, suggesting Netanyahu sought a weaker Otzma Yehudit to form a broad national government with Eisenkot. He claimed that polls indicate a merger between him and Smotrich would reduce Otzma Yehudit's mandates and advocated for a union between Smotrich and Ofer Winter instead. Smotrich, conversely, expressed agreement with Netanyahu, posting that "the time for unity and responsibility is now."