Billionaire American investor Bill Ackman has called for Israeli far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich to be excluded from the country’s next government, arguing that their statements and actions have severely damaged Israel’s international reputation.
Ackman, founder and chief executive of Pershing Square Capital Management, made the remarks on Sunday, October 25, just two days before Israel’s general election. Opinion polls indicated a closely contested race between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition and opposition parties.
In a post on X, Ackman said the two ministers had caused enormous reputational damage to Israel, particularly in the United States. He argued that forming a government without them would signal that Israel was ready to turn a new page.
According to Ackman, such a move could help restore Israel’s international credibility, strengthen relations with both Democrats and Republicans, and create opportunities to expand the Abraham Accords, which established diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab countries.
Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, and Smotrich, the finance minister, have faced international criticism over their policies and statements concerning Palestinians. Britain, Canada and Australia have also imposed sanctions on the two ministers over allegations of inciting violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Ackman recently praised Netanyahu’s leadership following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. However, his latest comments suggest that Israel’s international standing could benefit from a government without the two controversial ministers.
The remarks come amid growing debate over Israel’s political direction and its relations with international partners. Representatives for Ben-Gvir and Smotrich did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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