Likud rejects Otzma Yehudit's Ben-Gvir's push for Defense Ministry, Justice Ministry for Gotliv

Likud officials pushed back on Wednesday against Otzma Yehudit chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir's demand to receive the Defense Ministry in the next government and hand the Justice Ministry to MK Tally Gotliv, Maariv learned on Wednesday.

Likud was displeased with Ben-Gvir's demands, and has made it clear that the party does not intend to relinquish either portfolio in future coalition negotiations.

Shortly after he presented his demands, a message was conveyed to him that, as far as Likud is concerned, the Defense and Justice ministries are two of the party's core portfolios and it therefore has no intention of giving them up in coalition negotiations.

Likud officials stressed that they regard the Defense and Justice ministries as portfolios that belong within the party and that the demand to hand both to Otzma Yehudit is not viewed as realistic ahead of possible negotiations following the election.

Alongside the dispute over the allocation of ministries, Likud officials also voiced concern about the diplomatic consequences of such statements. According to party officials, presenting Ben-Gvir as a candidate for defense minister could prompt sharp reactions from neighboring Arab countries, particularly Egypt and Jordan, and further strain relations with them.

Ben-Gvir demands change to IDF rules of engagement, code of ethics

The message came after the press conference held on Tuesday night by Ben-Gvir and Gotliv, during which they presented the demands and plans they intend to advance in the next government.

Ben-Gvir announced that Otzma Yehudit would demand the Defense Ministry for itself, while he wants the Justice Ministry for Gotliv.

Alongside his demand for the Defense Ministry, Ben-Gvir presented a series of measures concerning the IDF and its operational policies. Among other things, the plan includes changing the rules of engagement, providing broader backing for IDF soldiers, raising their salaries, and providing free land to combat soldiers.

Ben-Gvir also stated he’d push to change the IDF's ethical code, which he called "Asa Kasher's progressive ethical code," and alter the screening process for elite units. Under the plan he presented, units including Unit 8200 would be opened more broadly to applicants from across the population.

Gotliv seeks dismissal of attorney-general

Gotliv, for her part, presented the measures she wants to implement if appointed justice minister. At the top of the list, she placed the immediate dismissal of the attorney-general upon the formation of the next government.

The plan also includes changing the process for appointing Supreme Court justices. Under Gotliv's proposal, candidates for the Supreme Court would undergo a hearing before the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, and their appointment would require approval by a two-thirds majority.

Gotliv is also seeking changes to the powers of the High Court of Justice, including restoring standing requirements and enshrining the principle that "not everything is justiciable," alongside an explicit definition of matters that would not be subject to judicial review.

The plan also calls for abolishing the course used to screen judicial candidates, which Gotliv describes as a tool for filtering judges, as well as increasing punishments for criminal organizations and terrorists to strengthen deterrence, she said.

Another provision concerns investigative policy. Gotliv wants to abolish the procedure requiring prior approval from the State Attorney's Office before criminal investigations can be opened into offenses including incitement, sedition, and calls for disobedience.

The demands presented by the two have placed the question of how portfolios would be allocated in a future government on the agenda while the election campaign is still underway. Likud, for its part, moved quickly to make clear to Ben-Gvir that, at least on the Defense and Justice ministries, it has no intention of giving them up.