National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced on Thursday evening that if the Gaza ceasefire is implemented, his Otzma Yehudit party will leave the government.
“The deal that is taking shape is a reckless deal,” Ben-Gvir said in a televised statement, saying it would “erase the achievements of the war” by releasing hundreds of Palestinian militants and withdrawing from strategic areas in Gaza, leaving Hamas undefeated.
“This deal teaches them (Hamas) that they can take hostages and attack, and at the end of the day, they can get what they want,” the Otzma Yehudit leader said.
“If this irresponsible deal is approved and implemented, we, the members of Otzma Yehudit, will submit letters of resignation to the prime minister,” he said, adding that he would, nonetheless, not seek to bring down the government.’
CNN reported that the cabinet pushed back the ceasefire deal until Saturday, though Israeli media previously reported that the cabinet would vote on Friday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has not commented.
Hostage deal context
This comes after his strong opposition this week to the finalization of Israel’s hostage deal with Hamas.
Both Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli have threatened to leave the government if certain security measures aren’t ensured.
In order for the hostage deal to pass, it must pass votes in the National Security Cabinet and then in the government plenum. Even if the aforementioned parties’ ministers vote against the deal, the deal will still have a majority in both the cabinet and government.
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