The Israeli Right Is Dead — Long Live the Fakes - How Ben Gvir, Smotrich, and Bibi became Center-Left

They were called extremists — who would've thought they were the three leftists all along?

It’s time to confront a political reality few in Israel want to admit: what’s widely labeled “the right” today is, in practice, far from it. While many politicians invoke familiar slogans like “sovereignty,” “governance,” and “Jewish identity,” the policies they implement often mirror centrist or even left-leaning agendas.

Let’s examine this more closely.

Itamar Ben Gvir – From Firebrand to Functionary

Once known as the radical outsider and self-styled “Jewish Panther,” Ben Gvir entered government on promises of uncompromising strength. Yet in office, his presence has largely been symbolic.

Key campaign promises — such as deporting terrorists’ families, asserting sovereignty on the Temple Mount, or revoking Oslo-era restrictions — remain unfulfilled. His activity is now more associated with high-profile statements and social media posts than with measurable policy outcomes.

Bezalel Smotrich – The Bureaucrat of the Status Quo

Smotrich, who once envisioned a sweeping “Zionist master plan,” now spends most of his time managing budgets as Finance Minister. While presenting himself as a champion of Jewish identity and sovereignty, his practical focus has shifted to economic management, coalition negotiations, and public-sector spending.

He has advanced little on the ideological fronts he once emphasized: deepening Israel’s presence in Judea and Samaria, judicial reform, or restoring traditional Jewish values in public life.

Benjamin Netanyahu – The Strategic Centrist

Netanyahu has been widely regarded as the anchor of the Israeli right for years. But ideologically, his record paints a different picture. Under his leadership:

Netanyahu has consistently neutralized ideological rivals from the right — often co-opting or sidelining them to maintain political control.

So Who Still Represents a Real Right-Wing Vision?

Among the few who have consistently stuck to ideological principles are:

Both have remained ideologically consistent, even at the cost of political popularity or institutional approval.

Beyond the Labels

The contemporary Israeli right has, in many ways, become a brand more than a movement. It reflects political theater designed to preserve the status quo — not challenge or change it.

For those seeking a genuinely ideological right, the path forward lies not in party branding, but in ideas:

Without a return to ideological clarity, what passes for the “right” today may simply usher in the next centrist or left-wing government — in disguise.