Tensions have emerged within Israel's right-wing political bloc as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party publicly pressured National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to form a joint electoral list. Netanyahu reportedly urged Ben-Gvir to merge his 'Jewish Power' (Otzma Yehudit) party with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s 'Religious Zionism' party for the upcoming October 27 municipal elections.

The push for a merger is driven by concerns that the far-right vote is becoming too fractured. Specifically, Smotrich’s party is currently facing a potential electoral challenge from a new, anti-Netanyahu far-right group called Amcha Yisrael. Likud officials argue that if Ben-Gvir and Smotrich run on separate tickets, they risk splitting the conservative vote, which could weaken the overall influence of the right-wing bloc.

Ben-Gvir has rejected these calls for unity, maintaining that his party will run independently. This refusal has prompted open criticism from Likud, which views the move as a strategic error that could hand seats to political rivals. While the primary disagreement is over electoral strategy, the friction highlights the ongoing difficulty Netanyahu faces in managing the various factions within his governing coalition. The situation remains fluid as the October election date approaches, with both sides currently holding firm on their respective strategies regarding party alliances.