Key Takeaways
- • Bill Ackman, founder of Pershing Square Capital Management, publicly urged that far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich be excluded from Israel's next government, days before an election.
- • Ackman argued the two ministers have caused "enormous reputational damage" to Israel through statements and actions that global media present as representing all Israelis.
- • Ackman said a cabinet without Ben-Gvir and Smotrich would signal that Israel is "turning a new page" and could expand the Abraham Accords and improve ties with both US parties.
- • Britain, Canada, and Australia have sanctioned the two ministers over accusations of inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Summary
Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has said that far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich should not serve in Israel's next government, according to The Jewish News. Posting on X just days before Tuesday's election, Ackman, founder of Pershing Square Capital Management, said he would not weigh in on who should be prime minister, a decision he left to Israeli citizens, but wanted to offer a view from someone who understands how Israel is perceived in America.
Ackman argued that the two ministers "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." He said a government formed without them would signal to the rest of the world that Israel is turning a new page. He added that this would allow Israel to rebuild lost credibility, increase the opportunity for an expansion of the Abraham Accords, and improve relations with Democrats, Republicans, and Americans at large. The Abraham Accords, brokered in 2020 under then-US President Donald Trump, saw Israel establish relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, and later reestablish official ties with Morocco.
The Jewish News notes that Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, as ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, have overseen hardline policies against Palestinians in the West Bank and made a series of inflammatory statements about Gaza, while rejecting any prospect of a two-state solution. Britain, Canada, and Australia have imposed sanctions on the two ministers over accusations of inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The Jewish News describes Ackman as a prominent hedge fund manager who has previously praised Netanyahu.
Ackman argued that the two ministers "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." He said a government formed without them would signal to the rest of the world that Israel is turning a new page. He added that this would allow Israel to rebuild lost credibility, increase the opportunity for an expansion of the Abraham Accords, and improve relations with Democrats, Republicans, and Americans at large. The Abraham Accords, brokered in 2020 under then-US President Donald Trump, saw Israel establish relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, and later reestablish official ties with Morocco.
The Jewish News notes that Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, as ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, have overseen hardline policies against Palestinians in the West Bank and made a series of inflammatory statements about Gaza, while rejecting any prospect of a two-state solution. Britain, Canada, and Australia have imposed sanctions on the two ministers over accusations of inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The Jewish News describes Ackman as a prominent hedge fund manager who has previously praised Netanyahu.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.