The possible departure of Netanyahu would do little to reverse the far-right policies that have entrenched apartheid, institutionalized anti-Palestinian discrimination and facilitated the genocide in Gaza, as influential figures in his coalition have embedded their extremist agenda across Israel’s political, security and administrative institutions.

Although Israel’s opposition is seeking to unseat Netanyahu, the political influence of finance minister Bezalel Smotrich and national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir remains a central obstacle to any meaningful policy shift. Both ministers have been outspoken advocates of the genocidal war on Gaza, the expansion of illegal settlements and the displacement of Palestinians.

Their influence has extended well beyond rhetoric. Since joining Netanyahu’s coalition in 2022, Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have used their ministerial positions to institutionalize policies rooted in Jewish supremacy and hostility toward Palestinians.

Institutionalizing occupation and ethnic cleansing

Smotrich has exploited his control over financial resources and civilian administration in the occupied West Bank to accelerate illegal settlement expansion. He established a separate Settlement Administration and revived the E1 settlement project in August 2025, openly declaring that it would bury the prospect of a Palestinian state.

He also assumed additional authority within the ministry of defence, giving him extensive influence over the administration of occupied Palestinian territory.

Meanwhile, Ben-Gvir has been accused of politicizing the Israeli police force and reshaping the prison service to reflect his far-right ideology. His policies have included severe restrictions on Palestinian prisoners, while he played a leading role in advancing legislation introducing the death penalty exclusively targeting Palestinians.

Both ministers have repeatedly threatened to withdraw support from Netanyahu when international pressure threatened to constrain Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. They have also advocated the annexation and ethnic cleansing of Palestinian territory.

A political system entrenched in hatred

The consequences extend beyond the two ministers. Analysts warn that their removal would not dismantle the political and institutional structures they have established.

Arie Perliger of the University of Massachusetts Lowell said Smotrich’s influence was particularly entrenched because he had translated his ideology into administrative control, budgets and settlement policies.

Roi Zur of Essex University similarly noted that the far-right movements represented by Smotrich and Ben-Gvir retain a stable electoral constituency.

The broader consequences are reflected in the genocide in Gaza, which has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians, escalating settler violence across the occupied West Bank and discriminatory treatment of Palestinians inside occupied territories. 

Palestinian former parliamentarian Aida Touma-Suleiman said racism had become deeply embedded in Israeli political culture.

“Netanyahu and his allies haven’t just given permission to be racist; they’ve made it almost proof of patriotism – it’s expected.”

She described the transformation as extending beyond apartheid laws into a broader political culture of discrimination and violence.