Itamar Ben‑Gvir pushes influence in Likud primaries to shape Netanyahu’s coalition

National security minister and Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben‑Gvir is working to broaden his sway among Likud members and activists ahead of the party’s primary elections. According to Israeli intelligence sources, he seeks to back candidates whose ideology aligns with his, aiming to create a large bloc of Knesset members supportive of a continued right‑wing government and to make a coalition with centrist parties more difficult.

Ben‑Gvir has held closed‑door talks with prominent Likud activists, plans to publicly endorse preferred candidates through videos, conferences and field outreach, and is expected to release a list of those he supports. He recently urged Knesset member Tali Gottlieb to join his Otzma Yehudit list; Gottlieb declined and confirmed she will stay within Likud. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled interest in forming a broad national government and is proposing changes to the Likud primary process to accommodate more candidates, a move that has sparked internal debate.