Expert warns of strengthening right-wing extremists in Israel elections Three injured in shots at fast food restaurant – wanted

A political scientist has warned of a significant strengthening of the far-right camp in Israel’s elections. If they join the government, the Religious-Zionist party of Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir is likely to gain ministerial posts and more influence with the authorities, said Professor Jonathan Rynhold, head of the Department of Political Studies at Bar-Ilan University. near Tel Aviv, the German news agency. According to polls, the party could become the third strongest force with more than ten percent of the 120 seats in parliament.

Right-wing opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) aims to return to the post of prime minister after Tuesday’s election. He had brokered the alliance of Smotrich and Ben-Gvir. According to media reports, Smotrich wants to become Secretary of Defense and Ben-Gvir Secretary of Homeland Security. However, it is still unclear whether Netanyahu’s camp will achieve a majority.

Before the election, Smotrich presented a radical program that, if implemented, would weaken Israel’s justice system. According to experts, the desired changes could also lead to the corruption investigation against Netanyahu being halted.

Ben-Gvir has been convicted in the past for racist hate speech and advocates, among other things, the deportation of Arabs “who are against the State of Israel”. He has also been repeatedly accused of deliberately fueling conflict with the Palestinians.

Ben-Gvir in an influential ministerial post would “clearly harm Israel’s democracy and international relations,” Rynhold said. Right-wing Israeli Tourism Minister Rechavam Seevi, who was assassinated in 2001, spoke out in favor of deporting Palestinians. However, Ben-Gvir is even more extreme in his views and actions, the expert said.

(yam/sda/dpa)