Netanyahu: My government will not impose Jewish religious law on Israel

Incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged that the right-religious coalition that will soon come to power in Israel will not impose Jewish religious law on the country.

Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Netanyahu said that the new government’s inclusion of far-right figures will not mean that Israel transitions away from “a country of laws.”

Particular concern surrounds Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir who is set to become the nation’s Minister of National Security.

Mr Ben-Gvir, previously of the Religious Zionist Party, has faced dozens of charges of hate speech against Arabs and also famously kept a portrait of the terrorist Baruch Goldstein, who committed the 1994 Cave of the Patriarchs massacre, in his living room. Before entering politics in the mid 90s, Mr Ben-Gvir took down the portrait.

Speaking on Bari Weiss’s “Common Sense” podcast, Mr Netanahu said: “The main policy or the overriding policy of the government is determined by the Likud party and frankly, by me. I think I have more than a modest influence on it,

“This Israel is not going to be governed by Talmudic law,” Mr Netanyahu added.

“We’re not going to ban LGBT forums. As you know, my view on that is sharply different, to put it mildly. We’re going to remain a country of laws.”

Ben-Gvir and Smotrich

Israeli Knesset members Itamar Ben-Gvir (L) and Bezalel Smotrich (R) are pictured during the swearing in ceremony of the new Israeli government at the Knesset, November 15, 2022 (Credit: MAYA ALLERUZZO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Another concerning figure is Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich who has in the past said that he wishes to see Israel governed by Jewish law.

Mr Smotrich had previously stated that he wished to be appointed defence minister, but Mr Netanyahu now insists the position of defence minister will stay within his Likud party.

Mr Netanyahu said: “That’s a red line. Defence is in our hands. Defence is not merely what you think it is. It’s not merely preventing incoming missions. It’s also deciding on policies that could be quite inflammatory. I’m trying to avoid that,”

Mr Netanyahu recently appointed openly homophonic ultra-nationalist Avi Maoz as a deputy minister to run a “Jewish identity” authority.

Mr Maoz is party leader of Noam, a religious-nationalist, anti-Arab and anti-LGBT party that argues for a strict interpretation of Jewish religious laws in Israel.