<p class="content-excerpt">Ben-Gvir claims he spoke with Netanyahu, urging him to appoint Smotrich as defense minister</p> <div class="components"> <p>Far-right Israeli lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir announced Friday his intention to split his Jewish Power faction from Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism party.&nbsp;</p> <p>The official request will be handed to Israel's parliament (Knesset) sometime next week.&nbsp;</p> <div class="taboola-wrapper"> <div class=" trc_related_container trc_spotlight_widget trc_elastic trc_elastic_ab_mid-article-thumbnails_abp-mode "></div> </div> <p>This comes during&nbsp;<a class="link" title="https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/politics/1668580802-israel-likud-cancels-coalition-talks-with-religious-parties-report" href="https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/politics/1668580802-israel-likud-cancels-coalition-talks-with-religious-parties-report" _mce_href="https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/politics/1668580802-israel-likud-cancels-coalition-talks-with-religious-parties-report">ongoing coalition negotiations</a>&nbsp;between prime minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu and the right-wing parties. Talks have reportedly stalled due to Smotrich's demand to be appointed the defense portfolio.&nbsp;</p> <p>During Ben-Gvir's announcement, he claimed that he spoke with Netanyahu and urged him to appoint Smotrich as defense minister.&nbsp;</p> <p>Ben-Gvir said that Smotrich's desire to be given the defense portfolio is "legitimate" and would help the incoming government fulfill its "fully right-wing" vision. This includes the establishment of new Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the halting of Palestinian construction in Area C.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Jewish Power leader continued that he is still in the same bloc as Smotrich, calling on both the prime minister-designate and Smotrich to find a solution and form a right-wing government.</p> </div>