Key Takeaways
- • Bill Ackman, founder of Pershing Square, publicly called on Sunday via X for National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to be excluded from Israel's next government, days before the Israeli election.
- • Ackman argued that a government without the two ministers would signal to the world that Israel is "turning a new page" and would help rebuild lost credibility.
- • Ackman linked the move to the possibility of expanding the Abraham Accords and improving relations with both Democrats and Republicans in the United States.
- • Ben-Gvir, in an earlier English-language campaign event, said diplomatic relations matter but should not come "at the expense of our fighters and our soldiers."
Summary
Bill Ackman, a billionaire investor and director of the New York hedge fund Pershing Square, condemned National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in a Sunday post on Twitter/X, just days before the Israeli election. He said a new government should not include either minister. According to The Jerusalem Post, which published the story dated October 25, 2026, Ackman's post was framed as a view from someone attentive to how Israel is perceived in the United States.
In his post, Ackman wrote that "Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel 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." He added that "a government formed without Ben-Gvir and Smotrich will send a message to the rest of the world that Israel is turning a new page." Ackman said exclusion of the two ministers would allow Israel to "rebuild lost credibility, increase the opportunity for an expansion of the Abraham Accords, and enjoy a better relationship with Democrats and Republicans and Americans at large."
The article notes that both ministers have been highly controversial internationally, drawing criticism from many of Israel's allies, including in the United States, for their extremist views and statements. Earlier in the month, during an English-language campaign event, Ben-Gvir acknowledged the importance of diplomatic relations, telling The Jerusalem Post: "It's important that we look good on the world stage. But not at the expense of our fighters and our soldiers."
In his post, Ackman wrote that "Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel 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." He added that "a government formed without Ben-Gvir and Smotrich will send a message to the rest of the world that Israel is turning a new page." Ackman said exclusion of the two ministers would allow Israel to "rebuild lost credibility, increase the opportunity for an expansion of the Abraham Accords, and enjoy a better relationship with Democrats and Republicans and Americans at large."
The article notes that both ministers have been highly controversial internationally, drawing criticism from many of Israel's allies, including in the United States, for their extremist views and statements. Earlier in the month, during an English-language campaign event, Ben-Gvir acknowledged the importance of diplomatic relations, telling The Jerusalem Post: "It's important that we look good on the world stage. But not at the expense of our fighters and our soldiers."
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