The chairman of the Otzma Yehudit party, Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, reiterated today (Tuesday) his demand to accept the position of Minister of Defense in the next government - and declared that a step will be taken in targeting the terrorists who carried out the murderous massacre.
In an interview he gave to Reshet B, the minister said: "After I receive the defense portfolio, I will ensure that Sinwar's body and the bodies of the October 7 terrorists are cremated. As defense minister, I will bring about a fundamental change in perception.".
Ben Gvir also addressed the accusations of the prime minister's responsibility for the October 7 events: "Of course Netanyahu has responsibility, but the head of Military Intelligence and Ronen Bar misled him. I also have criticism of him, which is why I am in Otzma Yehudit and not in Likud.".
According to him, even before October 7, he sought to "present a different approach to Gaza," but was met with disdain from senior echelons: "They disdained me as Minister of National Security, Netanyahu also berated me and said that the professionals say that there will be nothing from Gaza - a week before October 7.".
Regarding the Prime Minister transferring millions of dollars to the Gaza Strip, he said: "I am not defending this decision, quite the opposite. If I had been in the cabinet at that time, I would have turned the tables on this matter." According to him, the decision was not made at the time in the security cabinet, and he mentioned that in the past he had already resented government decisions, and even resigned from them: "In the end, it turned out that I was right in everything I said, no one believed me or listened.".
In recent days, Ben-Gvir has mentioned his plans for the Defense Ministry several times.
At an event for the 'Nahla' movement on the Gaza border, he said: "I wish we could reach Nissanit before the elections. But if, God forbid, it doesn't happen before the elections - I hope, God willing, to be the Minister of Defense of the State of Israel, to return us to Nissanit, and to the entire northern border - and to all of Gaza.".
The chairman of Otzma Yehudit presented a security plan, which includes a policy of encouraging voluntary immigration from the Gaza Strip and Judea and Samaria. In addition, Ben-Gvir seeks to disarm the Palestinian Authority and arrest its senior officials who support terrorism.
In the field of IDF activity, Ben Gvir seeks to change the opening fire procedures and expand the support provided to soldiers. Along with this, the plan includes an increase in soldiers' salaries and providing free land to fighters.
Two additional sections deal with changes within the IDF: Ben-Gvir seeks to change the army's code of ethics, which the party defined as "Asa Kosher's progressive code of ethics," and to open the elite units - including Unit 8200 - to the entire population.
