Israel’s defence establishment is concerned about attempts by Binyamin Netanyahu to give his allies from hard-right parties control over the army and police, which could stir further unrest in the Palestinian territories.
Bezalel Smotrich, co-leader of Religious Zionism, the second-largest party in the coalition that won a majority in Knesset elections two weeks ago, is demanding to be appointed defence minister in the new government. He was arrested in 2005 by Shin Bet, Israel’s security service, on suspicion of planning arson attacks in protest against Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, but was not charged.
Netanyahu is also said to be considering a request by another highly controversial figure, the Jewish Power leader Itamar Ben-Gvir, to be made public security minister, which would put him
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