Likud reports ‘significant advances’ in talks with Ben Gvir’s party

16 November 2022, 7:24 pm

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Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Otzma Yehudit chief Itamar Ben Gvir arrive for the swearing-in ceremony for the new Knesset, November 15, 2022. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP)

Likud chair Benjamin Netanyahu and Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben Gvir hold another meeting in Jerusalem as coalition talks continue.

Following the meeting, Likud says that there were “significant advances” made during the sit-down.

Ben Gvir and Religious Zionism head Bezalel Smotrich — who ran on a joint platform — vowed that they would conduct joint negotiations to enter the coalition.

Netanyahu and Smotrich have been at odds over the latter’s ministerial demands. Smotrich wants the job of defense minister, which Netanyahu reportedly told him he cannot have, and said he would also take the job of finance minister — which Shas chair Aryeh Deri reportedly refuses to relinquish.