Ben Gvir opens up about his relationship with Netanyahu: "He hurt me"

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticizes Prime Minister Netanyahu in a wide-ranging interview with C14, about a month before the elections. Ben Gvir claims that Netanyahu did not sufficiently advance the voluntary emigration plan from Gaza and Judea and Samaria, and vows that if he receives the Defense portfolio, he will dismantle the Palestinian Authority and accelerate emigration. He clarifies that he will not be "decoration" in a government with Gadi Eisenkot.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir opens up in a wide-ranging interview with C14 about a month before the elections, and levels harsh criticism at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Ben Gvir claims that Netanyahu did not want enough to advance the voluntary emigration plan from Gaza and Judea and Samaria, and that "if Netanyahu had wanted, we would already be after 100,000" Gazans who had emigrated. He vows that if he receives the Defense portfolio, he will dismantle the Palestinian Authority, take its weapons, and establish an administration to handle the voluntary emigration of "hundreds of thousands within a year." Ben Gvir spoke about the deep personal connection with Netanyahu, including hours of personal conversations and friendship between their wives, but admitted: "I was hurt by Netanyahu." He recalled that Netanyahu said before the previous elections that he would not let him be a minister, but the public voted for him and he eventually received the position. Regarding the possibility that Gadi Eisenkot would join the government, he clarified: "I will not be decoration nor an extra." Ben Gvir also criticized the competing candidates for the Defense Minister position, Ofer Winter and Moshe Feiglin, and argued that extensive military experience did not prevent the October 7 disaster.