Ben-Gvir wants Netanyahu to remain in power after Oct. 27 elections, while seeking seats to push the next Israeli government further right

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir told Time he wants Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stay in power after the October 27 elections, while aiming to win enough parliamentary seats to move the next government further to the right.

Ben-Gvir is seeking the defense minister portfolio, but Netanyahu has so far resisted giving it to him. Ben-Gvir advocates full Israeli control over Gaza, the establishment of Israeli settlements there and what he calls the “voluntary emigration” of Palestinians to other countries.

He also wants Israel to annex the occupied West Bank, disarm Palestinian Authority security forces and encourage Palestinians living there to relocate. “We want sovereignty in Judea and Samaria (West Bank), where we also want voluntary emigration,” he said.

Ben-Gvir ruled out joining a unity government with Netanyahu’s main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, and said he wants a fully right-wing coalition. “I want to be next to him. I want him to be very strong. I want to pull him to the right,” he said of Netanyahu.