Ben Gvir Says Otzma Yehudit Needs Double-Digit Seats to Avoid Coalition Exclusion

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said Otzma Yehudit needs a double-digit seat total to avoid being left out of Benjamin Netanyahu’s next government. In a Jerusalem studio interview published Monday evening, the party chairman said he wants Netanyahu to remain prime minister but fears he could form a coalition with Gadi Eisenkot instead. Ben Gvir said he had not heard Netanyahu pledge to rule out such a partnership. He also rejected serving in a government with Eisenkot in a senior security role, arguing that greater electoral strength would give Otzma Yehudit more influence.