Far-Right Leader To Take Public Security Ministry In Netanyahu Gov't

An agreement between PM-designate Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party and the far-right ultranationalist Otzma-Yehudit (OY) party published on 25 November sees OY leader Itama Ben-Gvir take the public security ministry as well as a seat on the country's security council. Ben-Gvir has a conviction from 2007 for racist incitement against Arabs, raising questions among critics about his suitability for such a high-profile position. Ben-Gvir's election ally, Belazel Smotrich of the Religious Zionist Party is set to gain the finance ministry position.

• Today's Likud-OY agreement is not a formal coalition document, with a full agreement among Likud, OY, Religious Zionism and the two Haredi parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism still to be signed.
• The inclusion of OY and Religious Zionism is set to produce the most right-wing gov't in Israel's history. It will leave Netanyahu in the difficult position of appeasing his coalition partners to ensure continued support, while also ensuring ties remain close with international allies in the US and Europe, who have expressed concerns at the inclusion of controversial figures such as Ben-Gvir and Smotrich in the gov't.