Jewish billionaire Bill Ackman condemned National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in a Sunday Twitter/X post, just days before the Israeli election, saying a new government should not include them.
"Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have caused Israel enormous reputational damage with their statements and actions, which are presented in the global media as representing the voice and will of all Israelis," Ackman said.
"As such, a government formed without Ben-Gvir and Smotrich will send a message to the rest of the world that Israel is turning a new page."
Ackman said he was presenting this perspective as someone who understands how Israel's perceived in the United States.
He added that excluding Ben-Gvir and Smotrich would allow Israel to "rebuild lost credibility, increase the opportunity for an expansion of the Abraham Accords, and enjoy a better relationship with Democrats and Republicans and Americans at large."
Ben-Gvir acknowledges importance of diplomatic relations, prioritizes soldiers
Both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have been highly controversial internationally, drawing ire from many of Israel's allies for their extremist views and statements, including in the US.
Earlier this month, during an English-language election campaign event, Ben-Gvir acknowledged that Israel’s international diplomacy matters to the country’s national security, but asserted it shouldn’t take precedence over the nation’s soldiers.
“I think there’s a great importance to our diplomatic relations and connections,” Ben-Gvir said in response to a question submitted by The Jerusalem Post. “It’s important that we look good on the world stage. But not at the expense of our fighters and our soldiers.”
Sam Halpern and Keshet Neev contributed to this report.