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Ackman: Ben-Gvir, Smotrich Should Not Serve in Next Israeli Government
Confirmed
In Short: Billionaire investor Bill Ackman on Sunday said that Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich should not serve in Israel’s next government, citing damage to the country’s reputation.
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman on Sunday said that Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich should not serve in Israel’s next government, citing damage to the country’s reputation. Ackman, who owns 5 percent of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, wrote on X that the two far-right politicians had caused 'enormous reputational damage' with their statements and actions.
Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power party and Smotrich’s Religious Zionism are projected to win around 10 and 8 parliamentary seats, respectively, in Tuesday’s election. As ministers in Netanyahu’s current coalition, they have overseen policies widely perceived as discriminatory against Israel’s minority Arab population and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Ackman argued that excluding Ben-Gvir and Smotrich from the government would allow Israel to 'rebuild lost credibility' and improve its relationship with Democrats and Republicans in the United States. He also said it would increase the opportunity for an expansion of the Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states.
Representatives for Ben-Gvir and Smotrich did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Ackman, who praised Netanyahu last week, said a government without the two ministers would signal that Israel was 'turning a new page.'
Thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday calling for an independent inquiry into an attack that killed around 1,200 people. Ackman, who supported Donald Trump’s candidacy for president in 2024, said he was not going to weigh in on who should be prime minister of Israel, as that is a decision for Israeli citizens.
What this adds
Ackman’s call for Ben-Gvir and Smotrich to be excluded from the government highlights the potential impact of far-right policies on Israel’s international standing and domestic unity.
What's confirmed
- JERUSALEM: Billionaire American investor Bill Ackman on Sunday said that Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich should not serve in Israel’s next government, saying the two far-right politicians had caused enormous damage to the country’s reputation.
- Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power party is projected to win around 10 parliamentary seats at Tuesday’s election, up from 6, while Smotrich’s Religious Zionism is projected to win 8, up from 7.
- “This will allow Israel to rebuild lost credibility, increase the opportunity for an expansion of the Abraham Accords, and enjoy a better relationship with Democrats and Republicans and Americans at large,” he said.
- As ministers in Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist coalition, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have overseen policies widely perceived as discriminatory against Israel’s minority Arab population and Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank.
- Representatives for Ben-Gvir and Smotrich did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
- Ackman, who was visiting Israel last week, and who along with his wife Neri Oxman owns 5 percent of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, supported Donald Trump’s candidacy for president in 2024.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.