Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, announced at a press conference Thursday evening that if a hostage deal is approved, his party will resign from the government, although he will not actively topple the government.
“The emerging deal is a reckless deal. It includes the release of hundreds of murderous terrorists, the return of thousands of terrorists to the northern Gaza Strip, withdrawal from the Philadelphi Route, and a ceasefire, which in effect would erase the achievements of the war. Not only that, it does not lead to the release of all the hostages, it seals the fate of the remaining hostages who are not included in the deal, and it will lead to the end of the war while Hamas has not been defeated, with a significant ability to rebuild itself,” Ben-Gvir declared.
“When we see the celebrations of Hamas supporter Ayman Odeh, the dancing in Gaza, and the celebrations in the villages of Judea and Samaria – we understand who is the side that has capitulated in this deal. Therefore, if this reckless deal is approved and implemented, the Otzma Yehudit party will not be part of the government and will resign from it,” said the minister.
He added, “I also call on my colleagues in the Religious Zionist Party and on the ideological Knesset members of Likud to act similarly, and together with us, to prevent this capitulation deal from being carried out.”
According to him, “If the war against Hamas is resumed with the aim of achieving a decisive victory and implementing the war objectives that have not been achieved, we will return to the government.
Ben-Gvir emphasized, “We also are willing to pay heavy prices for the release of the hostages. We are ready to do whatever it takes to bring them home, provided that the price does not include one that is much heavier. The current deal increases Hamas’s appetite and motivation to carry out another massacre like October 7th, thereby repeatedly defeating Israel – not to mention the number of terror attacks that could spill, God forbid, much Jewish blood.
“To release the hostages, all humanitarian aid to Gaza must be stopped completely. Not ‘controlling the aid mechanisms,’ not reducing it, but stopping it entirely. Stopping the transfer of fuel, electricity, and water. Only then will Hamas release our hostages without jeopardizing the security of the State of Israel, alongside a powerful military campaign. Only then will we defeat this murderous terrorist organization.”
He stressed that his party would not topple the government. “Even at this hour, I still call on the Prime Minister to come to his senses, to avoid this terrible deal, and to take these steps that will lead to Hamas’s defeat and the release of our hostages without capitulating to it. If he does not do this, as stated, Otzma Yehudit under my leadership will not topple Netanyahu, and will not act together with the left and its goals against the government, but it will not be able to be part of a government that approves a deal that gives Hamas a huge prize, and could bring upon us the disaster of the next October 7th – and will resign from it.”
The leader of the opposition, Yair Lapid, responded to the speech, saying: “I tell Benjamin Netanyahu, do not be afraid, accept whatever safety net you need to make the hostage deal happen. This is more important than any disagreement we’ve ever had.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet again tonight with the head of the Religious Zionist Party, Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The two are discussing Smotrich’s demands following Israel’s potential entry into the hostage deal, which includes a ceasefire. The minister is also demanding the renewal of the war after the deal is completed, as well as a significant change in its management, including halting humanitarian aid.
Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli announced this evening that he would resign from the government if Israel is required to withdraw from the Philadelphi Route as part of the deal. This demand comes in the wake of the agreement with Hamas which stipulates that Israel would withdraw from the route in the second phase of the deal.
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