Netanyahu’s power play bypasses hardline minister.

Haaretz added that replacing Smotrich with Ofer Finter, the former commander of the Givatayi Brigade, is one of the most important actions of “Benjamin Netanyahu.”

The media outlet continued that Netanyahu believes that Smotrich is facing the risk of not reaching the minimum number of votes in the polls ahead of the elections, which may lead to his failure to enter the Knesset (Israeli parliament).

According to Haaretz, given the intensification of military rhetoric and Smotrich’s provocative discourse against the Palestinians, Netanyahu is looking for a military figure who is more popular among the religious right movement.

The Zionist newspaper emphasized that the Israeli prime minister prefers that Finter, known for his extremist positions and former military role, be at the top of the electoral list and that Smotrich be in second place to ensure that this trend remains in the next parliamentary map.

The Israeli finance minister, with his far-right leanings, is a controversial figure in the regime. His party, Religious Zionism, is part of Netanyahu’s coalition government, along with the far-right Jewish Power party led by Israel’s far-right Internal Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and its presence is crucial to preserving the fragile coalition, which is why he has significant influence over key decisions about the Gaza war.

Several countries, including the UK, Canada, and Australia, have imposed sanctions on Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians, and the Netherlands has accused him of promoting “ethnic cleansing.”