Ben-Gvir clashes with Smotrich over delay in judicial reform
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Bezalel Smotrich defended delaying judicial reforms until after the war and criticized Ben-Gvir for destabilizing the coalition over what he called "nonsense," stressing the importance of passing a budget to address wartime needs.
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"Israel's" Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir addresses the media as he enters a courtroom in Tel Aviv before the start of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hearing on December 10, 2024. (AP)
Tensions have erupted within the occupation's ruling coalition as Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir launched a sharp attack on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, accusing him of obstructing efforts to revive the judicial overhaul and dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
"Smotrich's game is revealed tonight," Ben-Gvir said, calling the Israeli finance minister "a man who talks right-wing in public, but in practice saves the Attorney General from dismissal, stops judicial reform, and saves the Palestinian Authority from economic collapse."
Ben-Gvir criticized the coalition for failing to act, declaring, "We were elected to govern. There is no point in passing a state budget without firing the Attorney General."
Threats to coalition unity
Ben-Gvir's remarks follow the cancellation of a planned coalition meeting to discuss the dismissal of Baharav-Miara.
In response, Ben-Gvir threatened to vote against coalition initiatives, including the state budget. His party, Otzma Yehudit, subsequently voted against the budget in the Knesset plenum.
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Reports suggest that Ben-Gvir is circulating a statement pushing for a cabinet no-confidence vote on the Attorney General at its weekly meeting next Sunday.
Smotrich has opposed this move, reiterating his earlier stance that the occupation's judicial overhaul should remain on hold until after the ongoing war.
Smotrich defends budget and coalition stability
Speaking to the press at the Knesset after Ben-Gvir's statements, Smotrich defended his position, saying that the coalition had managed to pass the state budget framework bill and would soon pass the budget and Arrangements Bills, "even without Ben-Gvir and his colleagues who, unfortunately for political reasons" are voting against "a good budget that addresses all the needs of the war on the front and in the rear until victory."
Smotrich also criticized Ben-Gvir's actions, stating, "It is a shame that there are those who are willing to undermine a good right-wing coalition that has the chance to make history with the Trump administration on issues ranging from Iran to the settlement of the West Bank. It is a shame to undermine the coalition because of nonsense."
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Ben-Gvir responded to Smotrich's remarks by insisting on the importance of dismissing the attorney general.
"If my former ally joins the coalition leaders' agreement" and announces the end of his opposition to bringing a decision to fire the attorney general on Sunday, "the crisis will be able to end and Otzma Yehudit MKs will vote in favor of the budget," Ben-Gvir said.
He further tweeted, "Bezalel, dismissing the attorney general is governance, not foolishness."
