Leiter Says Netanyahu Wants Unity Government Without Ben Gvir as Police Minister

Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, said Friday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants a broad national unity government rather than a repeat of his current coalition. Leiter said Netanyahu had also said Itamar Ben Gvir would not again serve as police minister or become defense minister. Discussing violent Jewish vigilantes in Judea and Samaria, the ambassador acknowledged shortcomings in prosecutions and said Israel must improve enforcement. He condemned gratuitous violence by Jews or Arabs and said perpetrators must face justice, while urging a distinction between a small violent group and the wider Jewish population.