Key Takeaways
- • Bill Ackman, the American billionaire hedge fund manager, publicly urged Israeli voters on X on Monday to exclude Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from the next government, citing "enormous reputational damage" to Israel.
- • Ackman stated that forming a government without either minister would signal to the world that Israel is "turning a new page" and would allow it to rebuild credibility and expand the Abraham Accords.
- • Ackman framed his position as that of an American Jew who has supported Israel, while explicitly stating he is not an Israeli citizen and will not weigh in on who should be prime minister.
- • Ackman has made strategic investments in Israel totaling nearly $100 million and has increasingly spoken out in Israel's defense in the US since October 7.
Summary
American billionaire Bill Ackman warned Israel against forming a new government with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in a post on X on Monday, as reported by i24NEWS. Ackman wrote 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."
Ackman said that, as he is not an Israeli citizen, he would not weigh in on who should serve as prime minister. He said he wanted Israelis to hear his perspective as an American Jew who has stood up for Israel. He argued that a government formed without either minister would send a signal "to the rest of the world that Israel is turning a new page," allowing the country to rebuild lost credibility and expand the Abraham Accords. He later added, "I believe in peace through strength, not peace through extremism."
Ackman has increasingly defended Israel publicly in the United States since October 7 and has made considerable strategic investments in the country, totalling nearly $100 million, according to the report.
Ackman accompanied his wife, Neri Oxman, to Israel, where she intends to vote. He clarified that Israelis should not assume his views match hers, noting that the two do not always agree on political matters.
Ackman said that, as he is not an Israeli citizen, he would not weigh in on who should serve as prime minister. He said he wanted Israelis to hear his perspective as an American Jew who has stood up for Israel. He argued that a government formed without either minister would send a signal "to the rest of the world that Israel is turning a new page," allowing the country to rebuild lost credibility and expand the Abraham Accords. He later added, "I believe in peace through strength, not peace through extremism."
Ackman has increasingly defended Israel publicly in the United States since October 7 and has made considerable strategic investments in the country, totalling nearly $100 million, according to the report.
Ackman accompanied his wife, Neri Oxman, to Israel, where she intends to vote. He clarified that Israelis should not assume his views match hers, noting that the two do not always agree on political matters.
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