Key Takeaways
- • Bill Ackman publicly urged Israel's next government to exclude far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, arguing both have caused Israel "enormous reputational damage" (per The Hill, via NewsNation).
- • Ackman said a government formed without Ben-Gvir and Smotrich would signal that "Israel is turning a new page," and could rebuild credibility, expand the Abraham Accords, and improve relations with both U.S. parties.
- • The call was made on X two days before Israel's Oct. 27, 2026 election, in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks another term against a challenge led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot's centrist Yashar party.
- • Recent polls show Eisenkot's party narrowly ahead of Netanyahu's Likud, but neither side has a clear path to the 61 seats needed for a governing majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
Summary
Billionaire hedge fund investor Bill Ackman called on Israel's next government to exclude far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, days before Israeli voters head to the polls. According to The Hill, as reported by NewsNation, Ackman argued that both ministers have damaged the country's international reputation.
In a post on the social platform X, Ackman wrote that Ben-Gvir and 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, a prominent supporter of Israel, said he was offering his perspective as someone with an understanding of how Israel is perceived in America. He stopped short of endorsing a candidate for prime minister, saying that choice belongs to Israeli citizens.
Ackman argued that a government formed without the two ministers would send a message to the world that Israel is turning a new page. He said this would allow Israel to rebuild lost credibility, increase the opportunity to expand the Abraham Accords, and strengthen relations with Democrats, Republicans and Americans more broadly.
The comments come two days before the October 27 election, in which Netanyahu is seeking another term against challengers led by Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief who heads the centrist Yashar party. Recent polls have shown Eisenkot's party narrowly ahead of Netanyahu's Likud. Neither side has a clear path to the 61 seats needed to form a government in the 120-member parliament, and no single party has ever won a majority there.
Netanyahu has emphasized his close relationship with President Trump, who has endorsed him, and the threat posed by Iran. Ben-Gvir, who leads the ultranationalist Otzma Yehudit party, and Smotrich, who leads the Religious Zionism party, have both drawn international criticism over their extremist views on Palestinians and Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
In a post on the social platform X, Ackman wrote that Ben-Gvir and 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, a prominent supporter of Israel, said he was offering his perspective as someone with an understanding of how Israel is perceived in America. He stopped short of endorsing a candidate for prime minister, saying that choice belongs to Israeli citizens.
Ackman argued that a government formed without the two ministers would send a message to the world that Israel is turning a new page. He said this would allow Israel to rebuild lost credibility, increase the opportunity to expand the Abraham Accords, and strengthen relations with Democrats, Republicans and Americans more broadly.
The comments come two days before the October 27 election, in which Netanyahu is seeking another term against challengers led by Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief who heads the centrist Yashar party. Recent polls have shown Eisenkot's party narrowly ahead of Netanyahu's Likud. Neither side has a clear path to the 61 seats needed to form a government in the 120-member parliament, and no single party has ever won a majority there.
Netanyahu has emphasized his close relationship with President Trump, who has endorsed him, and the threat posed by Iran. Ben-Gvir, who leads the ultranationalist Otzma Yehudit party, and Smotrich, who leads the Religious Zionism party, have both drawn international criticism over their extremist views on Palestinians and Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
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