Netanyahu says Ben-Gvir will be a senior minister in his next government, while ruling out Defense and National Security portfolios for Likud

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Itamar Ben-Gvir would be a senior minister in his next government, responding to Ben-Gvir’s claims that he was being sidelined ahead of the October 27 election. “Don’t fall for the spin, he will be a senior minister in our government,” Netanyahu said.

Ben-Gvir had said Netanyahu’s office assured EU countries he would be excluded from the next government. Likud rejected that account as “false political spin.” Netanyahu has also ruled out giving Ben-Gvir the Defense or National Security ministries, saying both would remain with Likud.