National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Saturday night accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of using a reported unity initiative with Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich as part of a political maneuver to pressure Moshe Feiglin.
Ben Gvir was responding to reports that Smotrich and Feiglin, chairman of Zehut, have been holding advanced talks on a possible merger, allegedly with Netanyahu's mediation.
“I was shocked by the reports that Smotrich and Feiglin conducted, through your mediation, advanced talks on a unity agreement, and that, only ‘to pressure Feiglin,’ you and Smotrich issued a staged call for unity with me, whose sole purpose is to lower Feiglin’s demands," Ben Gvir wrote to Netanyahu.
“You think it is acceptable to boycott events in which I participate and be ashamed to be photographed with me, but even the heartfelt call for unity is a cynical game?! Mr. Prime Minister, it would be worth reminding you: my name is Itamar Ben Gvir, not Benny Gantz."
The comments followed reports on Friday that Smotrich’s Religious Zionism and Feiglin’s Zehut are in advanced negotiations over a possible electoral alliance.
Under the emerging agreement, Feiglin is reportedly expected to receive the second spot on the list, which is considered realistic, as well as additional slots in the eighth and 10th positions. The final allocation of positions has not yet been agreed upon.