Changing tactics, Netanyahu embraces far-right legislator
With the elections a week away, opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to include ultranationalist Itamar Ben Gvir in his government.
Less than two weeks ago, former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to share a stage with the rising star of the extreme right, ultranationalist Itamar Ben Gvir. This week, Netanyahu missed no opportunity to sing his praises.
What brought about this change? It seems that several of Netanyahu’s supporters from the Likud did not like the way he treated Ben Gvir. Not only did they side with the latter, but some even said they would vote for him. The Likud started to suffer in the polls.
Netanyahu immediately corrected course and embraced Ben Gvir at an Oct. 23 conference organized by Channel 14, saying Ben Gvir could become a minister in a future government under his lead.
In the last election campaign, Netanyahu had said the opposite, declaring that Ben Gvir would not serve as a minister in any government he forms. Now, Netanyahu has committed to making one of the people most identified with the incitement preceding the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin a full partner in his coalition.
