 "Right-wing hardliner Ben-Gvir returns to Netanyahu's government amid stalled Israel-Hamas ceasefire")
Israel’s government has approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to reinstate Itamar Ben-Gvir as National Security Minister, a move that strengthens the right-wing coalition but risks deepening divisions at home and further alienating international allies.
The decision, confirmed by the prime minister’s office on Wednesday (March 19), brings back the hardline nationalist just two months after his dramatic resignation over disagreements regarding a ceasefire in Gaza.
Ben-Gvir, a key figure in Netanyahu’s ruling bloc, has been a vocal proponent of intensifying military action against Hamas and has long opposed any form of peace settlement with the Palestinians.
His return comes amid continued airstrikes on Gaza, shattering a fragile period of relative calm following stalled negotiations for a ceasefire. With the Palestinian death toll surpassing 48,000, Ben-Gvir’s reappointment signals a potential shift toward an even more hawkish approach to the conflict.
A hardliner returns
Ben-Gvir, 48, leads the far-right Jewish Power party and has long been a firebrand within Israeli politics. Before helping Netanyahu form what has been described as Israel’s most right-wing government in history, he was widely seen as an extremist. His hardline stance has put him at odds with both Israeli security officials and international leaders, particularly in Washington.
During his previous tenure as National Security Minister, he regularly criticised the Israeli military and Netanyahu himself for what he saw as a lack of aggression in Gaza.
He repeatedly threatened to bring down the government if it pursued a ceasefire without first eliminating Hamas. His return strengthens Netanyahu’s coalition, which had been left with a fragile parliamentary majority following his resignation.
Yet his influence remains contentious. Alongside Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, another far-right figure, Ben-Gvir has advocated for the permanent conquest of Gaza and the re-establishment of Jewish settlements there, a stance that Netanyahu has publicly distanced himself from.
Impact Shorts
View AllStill, his reappointment suggests that Netanyahu is prioritising domestic political stability over diplomatic concerns.
With inputs from agencies
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