Netanyahu denies he was enthusiastic about Ben Gvir’s demand to be police minister

Far-right MK Itamar Ben Gvir tours the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem on October 28, 2022 (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
Far-right MK Itamar Ben Gvir tours the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem on October 28, 2022 (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu denies that he was “enthusiastic” upon hearing Itamar Ben Gvir’s demand to be police minister should they form the next government.

Ben Gvir told Army Radio that he raised the issue with Netanyahu when they met last Thursday and that the Likud leader was supportive of the idea, should he form the next government.

“I’m not quoting word-for-word, but there was considerable enthusiasm” for the idea, said Ben Gvir. “He and his people said it would bring in votes from outside the [Netanyahu-led] bloc.”

Netanyahu later tells Army Radio it was Ben Gvir who was enthusiastic.

“Really no,” Netanyahu says. “I heard his request. He was the one who was very enthusiastic. I’m just stating the facts,” says Netanyahu, adding that it was too soon to hand out portfolios.

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