Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu sparked a confrontation with Otzma Yehudit after declaring at a campaign event in Akko that Likud would control the National Security and Education ministries in the next government.

The announcement directly challenges Itamar Ben Gvir’s hold on the National Security Ministry and drew an angry response from his party, which claimed Netanyahu intends to exclude it from a future coalition.

“We will ensure the security and education of every boy and girl in Israel, Jews and non-Jews alike,” Netanyahu told the gathering.

Otzma Yehudit responded with the Hebrew expression “The cat is out of the bag,” arguing that Netanyahu’s remarks exposed his intentions for the next government.

The party said his statements about keeping the Defense, National Security, and Justice portfolios in Likud’s hands reinforced its conclusion that a decision had been made to leave Ben Gvir and Otzma Yehudit outside the coalition and bring in Gadi Eisenkot instead.

Otzma Yehudit further accused Netanyahu of preparing to transfer those portfolios to the left. That assertion reflected the party’s interpretation of his remarks; Netanyahu’s quoted comments did not announce an agreement with Eisenkot or explicitly rule out Ben Gvir as a coalition partner.

The party concluded its response with a direct message to Netanyahu: “Dear Prime Minister, only the people will decide. A strong Ben Gvir means a strong Israel!”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)