Ben-Gvir also wants Otzma Yehudit No. 2 Tally Gotliv, who recently moved from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud to Ben-Gvir’s party ahead of the election, to become justice minister.
The demands immediately created friction with Likud, which reportedly considers both ministries key portfolios it has no intention of surrendering in post-election negotiations.
Ben-Gvir Sets His Sights on Israel’s Military
Ben-Gvir unveiled an aggressive security platform alongside his demand for control of the Defense Ministry.
Among his proposals is a policy encouraging what he describes as voluntary emigration of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank.
He also wants the Palestinian Authority disarmed and senior figures who support terrorism arrested.
But perhaps the most consequential change would involve the Israel Defense Forces themselves.
Ben-Gvir argues that Israel needs a defense minister willing to abandon long-standing assumptions within the country’s security establishment.
“It is time for someone from outside who is not bound by the old conceptions,” Ben-Gvir said.
His proposal includes changing the IDF’s rules of engagement, giving soldiers greater institutional backing and altering the military’s ethics code.
Ben-Gvir made his preferred approach to attacks on Israeli troops unmistakable.
“I want us to be in a situation where, if stones and Molotov cocktails are thrown at our soldiers, they shoot,” Ben-Gvir said.
His broader platform also includes higher salaries for soldiers, free land for combat troops and changes intended to broaden access to elite military units.
Gotliv Has Her Own Plans for the Justice Ministry
The second half of Ben-Gvir’s demand could produce an equally intense political fight.
Gotliv wants the Justice Ministry and has already outlined what she would attempt to do with it.
At the top of her agenda is removing Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
Her proposed overhaul would also change the process for selecting Supreme Court justices, including hearings before the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee and a requirement for two-thirds approval.
Gotliv is additionally proposing restrictions on the High Court’s authority and changes to other parts of Israel’s judicial system.
Those plans would put the judiciary back at the center of Israeli politics after years of bitter battles over the balance of power between elected officials and the courts.
Likud Pushes Back
Netanyahu’s Likud appears unwilling, at least publicly, to accept Ben-Gvir’s opening bid.
Likud officials reportedly communicated that Defense and Justice are core ministries the party intends to keep during negotiations over the next government.
Officials have also reportedly raised concerns about the potential diplomatic fallout of Ben-Gvir becoming defense minister, particularly involving Israel’s relations with Egypt and Jordan.
That does not necessarily make the dispute disappear.
Otzma Yehudit has been polling at roughly eight seats, according to recent reporting, giving the party potential leverage if the election produces another closely divided Knesset.
Israel’s proportional parliamentary system frequently makes smaller parties important players in coalition negotiations because a prime minister needs enough allied lawmakers to command a Knesset majority.
That could leave Netanyahu facing a difficult negotiation after voters go to the polls.
October Election Could Turn Ben-Gvir Into a Kingmaker
Ben-Gvir already controls the National Security Ministry, placing him in charge of Israel’s police and other domestic security responsibilities.
Moving him to Defense would dramatically expand the scope of his authority, placing him at the center of decisions involving the IDF and Israel’s military strategy.
Ben-Gvir has indicated that fellow Otzma Yehudit politician Yitzhak Wasserlauf should take over the National Security Ministry if he moves to Defense.
For now, Likud is saying no.
But the real test comes after the ballots are counted.
If Netanyahu and his allies can form a comfortable majority without making major concessions to Otzma Yehudit, Ben-Gvir’s demands could go nowhere.
If the numbers are tight, every seat could matter.
That is what makes Ben-Gvir’s announcement more than campaign rhetoric. He has publicly established his opening position before coalition negotiations even begin.
Israelis will vote on October 27, and the resulting Knesset arithmetic will determine how much leverage Ben-Gvir actually possesses.
Until then, Likud and Otzma Yehudit have drawn their lines: Ben-Gvir wants Defense and Justice in his party’s hands, while Likud says those two ministries are staying put.
After election night, one side may have to move.
