The duo play a critical role in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration as significant influencers, having facilitated the formation of his government, and they have frequently threatened to retract their backing.

“Mr. Smotrich claimed there is no existence of a Palestinian nation. Mr. Ben-Gvir has expressed that his rights in the West Bank, a region occupied by his government, outweigh the rights of millions of Palestinians,” Falconer stated.

Who is Itamar Ben-Gvir?

The 49-year-old entered parliament in 2022 and leads a far-right, anti-Arab party called Otzma Yehudit, or Jewish Power.

When Itamar Ben-Gvir aligned with Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, he took on the security portfolio, which encompasses oversight of the police force. Source: EPA / Atef Safadi

Ben-Gvir was convicted in 2007 of racist incitement and support for a group on both the Israeli and United States terrorism blacklists, according to Reuters.

“He is the go-to man when it comes to Jewish extremists facing legal proceedings,” the Jerusalem Post wrote in a 2022 list of influential Israelis.

He has repeatedly drawn the ire of the US over his rejection of a political solution with the Palestinians and his support for Jewish settlers who attack Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, according to Reuters.

Who is Bezalel Smotrich?

In a recording published in January 2023, Smotrich reportedly described himself as a “fascist homophobe”.

Bezalel Smotrich leads the Religious Zionism party, which has 14 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. Source: AP / Ronen Zvulun

“I’m a fascist homophobe, but I’m a man of my word,” Smotrich was quoted as saying by Israeli news outlet Haaretz.

The remark came weeks after he apologised for saying the Palestinian town of Hawara in the West Bank should be “erased”.