Ben-Gvir announces candidacy for Israel's defense minister in October elections

Ben‑Gvir, the hard‑line leader of Israel’s far‑right Otzma Yehudit party, has announced that he will seek the defence ministry in the October parliamentary elections. His move comes after a surge in Israeli army raids in the West Bank, triggered by the injury of an Israeli soldier when a car rammed his vehicle near Ramallah last week.

The incident, which left the soldier with serious injuries, sparked a wave of security operations. Israeli troops entered several West Bank towns, seized weapons, and detained dozens of Palestinians. The raids were part of a broader strategy by the current coalition to tighten control over the occupied territories amid rising tensions. Ben‑Gvir’s bid for the defence portfolio would give him unprecedented influence over that strategy, as he has long called for a hard‑line approach to Palestinian protests and for expanding settlement activity. The move also signals the far‑right’s growing appetite for power within the coalition that has governed since 2021, and it is the first time a far‑right figure has been poised to hold the defence ministry in Israel’s history.

Other coalition partners have mixed feelings. The Blue‑White party has warned that handing the defence portfolio to Ben‑Gvir could alienate moderate voters and invite criticism from the United States and European allies, who have urged restraint in the West Bank. Prime Minister Netanyahu has said the cabinet will be formed after the elections, but he has not ruled out a reshuffle that could bring Ben‑Gvir into the defence ministry. Meanwhile, opposition parties have called for a national unity government that would exclude far‑right elements, citing concerns over civil liberties and the safety of both Israelis and Palestinians.

If Ben‑Gvir secures the defence ministry, Israel’s security policy could shift toward more aggressive enforcement of checkpoints and a tougher stance on Palestinian protest movements. The October elections will likely become a referendum on this direction. Politicians across the spectrum will need to decide whether to accept a far‑right defence minister or to push for a more centrist candidate. The outcome will shape Israel’s approach to security, its relationship with the United States, and the future of the West Bank conflict.