Dr. Hagai Ben-Artzi, prominent Bible scholar and brother-in-law of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, issued an urgent and theologically charged appeal in a new interview, asserting that only “the Messiah, son of David” is fit to succeed Bibi — and warning that a political campaign to force his ouster is masking itself behind humanitarian slogans.

Speaking to Israel’s Arutz 7, Ben-Artzi framed the current war in Gaza as a prophetic and strategic crossroads for Israel, and accused critics of manipulating the issue of hostages to undermine the government.

“A historic opportunity” — and a hostage distraction

Ben-Artzi began by praising US President Donald Trump’s proposal to facilitate the emigration of Gaza civilians following the destruction of large portions of the Strip. “For the first time,” he said, “a US president has proposed solving the refugee issue that has haunted us for 70 years. That is a historic opportunity.” He added that only the late Rabbi Meir Kahane had previously dared to publicly raise such a solution.

He was sharply critical of efforts to center the national agenda on the hostage crisis. “Twenty hostages is not a strategic issue,” he said. “It’s not popular to say it, but it must be said. I have the moral authority to say it.”

While expressing his hope and prayers for their safe return, Ben-Artzi emphasized that “we already have nearly 2,000 dead. If tragically we lose 2,020, that does not change Israel’s strategic mission: total victory over Hamas, conquest of all of Gaza, and implementation of the migration plan.”

He acknowledged that such a position entails risk, but said bluntly: “We must say it. It is not a strategic issue.”

“This is a political campaign to topple Bibi”

Ben-Artzi charged that the hostage-focused protest movement is being used as a political weapon. “The entire hostage campaign is a political campaign aimed at toppling Bibi and the government,” he said, using the prime minister’s nickname. “They know that if Netanyahu gives in to a deal, [Finance Minister Bezalel] Smotrich and [Police Minister Itamar] Ben-Gvir will resign, and we’ll go to elections. This is a political campaign. It has nothing to do with moral, spiritual, or religious values.”

In a direct rebuke to critics on the left, including protest leader Prof. Shikma Bressler, he said: “They shout, ‘The right has forgotten what it means to be Jewish.’ That enrages me—as a Bible teacher of fifty years. I’ve forgotten how to be a Jew? When was the last time you opened a Tanakh, a Gemara, the Rambam, the Shulchan Aruch?”

“Only the Messiah can replace Netanyahu”

Asked whether he sees any right-wing figure capable of succeeding Netanyahu, Ben-Artzi was unequivocal: “Absolutely not. The other Likud leaders are in a different league compared to the prime minister. There’s no question about the gap. The only one who can replace Benjamin Netanyahu is the King Messiah.”

Anticipating accusations of religious extremism, he answered: “I know they’ll say I’m messianic. But the Bible is messianic. Judaism is messianic. Only someone who doesn’t study the Bible could use ‘messianic’ as an insult.”

He invoked David Ben-Gurion as an example: “He proudly said this state is messianic, and that the Jewish people have a messianic message. He wasn’t afraid to say it—because he studied the Bible.”

A personal plea to Bibi

Ben-Artzi closed the interview with a direct message to his brother-in-law: “Bibi, divine providence has given you a historic opportunity—perhaps the first in Israel’s history—not only to defeat an enemy, but to solve the refugee issue. I pray, I plead, don’t miss this opportunity.”

He also expressed disappointment at Netanyahu’s past concessions: “Despite everything he’s written about refusing to capitulate to terror, he has carried out deals.”

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