Ben Gvir and Smotrich hugged on stage: "Don't believe the media"
At the end of an interview with Minister Itamar Ben Gvir at the Channel 14 conference, the interviewer brought him together with Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The two hugged on stage and emphasized that there is…
Assessment
Two Israeli ministers used a public embrace at a conference to push back against reports of a rift between them, explicitly telling the public not to believe the media. The gesture comes as both plan to run separately in upcoming elections, making the display of unity a political signal aimed at their shared voter base. The incident highlights how political rivals within the same camp manage public perception ahead of a campaign.