Naftali Bennett announced Friday afternoon that, if tasked with assembling Israel’s next government, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir would not be part of his coalition — marking a clear shift from his earlier position.

In a pointed statement, Bennett took aim at Ben Gvir’s performance and conduct in office. “I want to be clear: Itamar Ben-Gvir has no place in my government. Not because of ‘boycott rhetoric,’ but because he is a failed minister who acts with bullying and racism against the values of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.”

Earlier in the week, speaking at a conference in Efrat, Bennett had called for the establishment of a broad national unity government following the upcoming elections. He cited the 1984 unity arrangement as a model — the government that featured a rotation agreement between Yitzhak Shamir and Shimon Peres.

Audio published by the Kipa website captured Bennett addressing questions from attendees and clarifying that he was not formally boycotting either Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben Gvir or Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich.

Discussing Ben Gvir in those remarks, Bennett said: “I’m not boycotting him, but he’s simply a terribly, terribly unserious person. I know it’s not talked about, but clownish behavior is not a substitute for seriousness.”

Bennett struck a different tone when referring to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, acknowledging his confrontational style while emphasizing his ability to function effectively. “Smotrich today is very combative, but he knows how to work. One of the reasons I’m involved with Religious Zionism is so that there will be enormous pressure on them after the elections to end the boycott against us. What happened? Why can’t you sit with us? There is a boycott today.”