Ben-Gvir sets West Bank 'operation' as condition for cabinet return

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
7 May 2023 23:50

Israeli media say Ben-Gvir's first demand is "a military operation" in the occupied West Bank as a condition for his return to the government and the Knesset.

Israeli occupation Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir speaks from a stage at a news conference, in occupied Al-Quds, on October 30, 2022 (Reuters)

Israeli media reported that Israeli occupation Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir set demands for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in exchange for his return to attend government meetings and Knesset sessions.

Michael Shemesh, a political affairs correspondent for Israeli channel KAN, pointed out that Ben-Gvir's first demand is "a military operation" in the occupied West Bank as a condition for his return to the government and the Knesset.

The Israeli correspondent said Ben-Gvir also called for tightening the noose on Palestinian prisoners and taking more decisive measures in some parts of the judicial overhaul.

Earlier, Ben-Gvir confirmed that he intends to give a speech at the Europe Day event in "Tel Aviv" on Tuesday, despite the bloc reportedly asking that someone else represent the Israeli occupation instead, Israeli media reported.

Haaretz cited an unnamed Israeli diplomat as saying that "I will not be surprised if there are diplomats who would prefer to avoid the Israeli minister or not come to the event" if Ben-Gvir insists on attending.

The Israeli diplomat advised that "the Israeli side comes to its senses so as not to embarrass the ambassadors of the [European] Union."

Sources told Haaretz that due to protocol, Ben-Gvir cannot be replaced unless he personally decides to back out, pointing out that Netanyahu has little chance of convincing him to do so because the two are no longer in direct communication due to their continuing dispute.

An unnamed Israeli official familiar with the matter told Haaretz that "there is at the moment a disconnect between the prime minister and Ben Gvir, separate from this matter, meaning that reaching a solution is complicated."

The newspaper cited a European official as saying that the EU delegation and representatives of some countries have requested that a different occupation official be sent to the event instead.

According to Israeli media, Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party has threatened to leave the Netanyahu alliance as a dispute over its policy influence escalates.

Last week, Ben-Gvir had a spat with Netanyahu over the Police Minister's absence from security discussions on the recent Israeli occupation aggression on Gaza.