Netanyahu May Fall, But Far-Right Policies Could Endure in Israel

Political efforts to remove Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power are intensifying. Amid discussions about a potential new government, two far-right leaders from his administration—Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir—have come into focus. Analysts fear that even if Netanyahu steps down, the changes they have introduced to the administration and state policies may not be easily reversed.

Recently, when discussions began about the possibility of forming a unity government involving former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, Smotrich and Ben-Gvir opposed it. Ben-Gvir explicitly stated that for the sake of protecting Israel, Netanyahu would have to choose either him or Eisenkot. Smotrich, on the other hand, warned his political allies that if Netanyahu compromised with Eisenkot, he would exclude them after Netanyahu’s removal from power.

In 2022, Netanyahu formed a government by forging a coalition with far-right parties. As part of that coalition, Smotrich received the portfolio of Finance Minister and also gained influence over the civilian administration of the West Bank. Ben-Gvir, meanwhile, was appointed National Security Minister. Over the past three years, they have implemented various changes in their ministries and related institutions, aligning with their political ideologies.