Ben-Gvir threatens to dissolve cabinet; Netanyahu distrusts Gallant

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
5 Jul 2024 20:06

Israeli media report on the simmering conflicts between Netanyahu and his ruling coalition members over the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference at the Sheba Tel HaShomer Hospital in Ramat Gan, on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (AP)

Former Israeli war cabinet observer Gadi Eisenkot expressed doubt that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can rise "to the strategic level of leadership" required to secure a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas and convince his far-right coalition allies.

Eisenkot told the Israeli Walla news website he finds it "difficult to see Netanyahu accepting a deal and telling [Finance Minister Bezalel] Smotrich and [Police Minister Itamar] Ben-Gvir that this is the right thing."

He emphasized that Netanyahu is "bound by personal and political needs that overpower his capacity" to save "Israel".

The Prime Minister lacks leadership abilities, "which is why he needs to be replaced," argued Eisenkot, who resigned last month from the ruling coalition alongside "National Unity" chair Benny Gantz.

While accusing the Hamas leadership of holding back a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal, Eisenkot stressed that Netanyahu "is supposed to achieve the goals of the war" and ultimate responsibility lies with his government.

Touching on the Northern Front with Hezbollah, the former Israeli war cabinet member claimed that "Israel" enjoys the military capability to engage in war against the Lebanese group but warned that there will be "a heavy price" on the internal front.

He considered that the Israeli government "cannot make decisions" and that the cabinet "consists of people with enormous knowledge gaps."

"There is reason to be concerned."

Eisenkot also insisted that "the path that Netanyahu is taking does not lead to victory."

Gallant cannot be trusted

In a related context, Israeli media cited a source close to Netanyahu as saying that Security Minister Yoav Gallant is a pawn in the hands of the Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.

The source indicated that Gallant cannot be trusted and that his behavior regarding judicial reforms, the draft law, and the prisoner exchange deal suggests he wants to topple the current Israeli government.

The Israeli Channel 12 also attributed the simmering conflict between Netanyahu and Gallant to the latter being barred by the former from holding a meeting regarding the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal with the heads of Mossad and Shin Bet, insisting the meeting be held with him instead.

Political commentator Amit Segal cited sources close to Netanyahu as saying that Gallant struggles with accepting the Prime Minister's authority.

According to Channel 12, Gallant did attend the meeting held at Netanyahu’s place.

In another meeting later that evening, Netanyahu criticized Gallant, saying, "You are not the Prime Minister," to which Gallant responded that not holding such a meeting regarding the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal makes it difficult for the security establishment to prepare for discussions on the most critical issue on the agenda.

The outlet Channel 12 also pointed to growing gaps between the Israeli Prime Minister and his Security Minister, noting that while Gallant urges accepting Hamas' current offer and told families of the captives that a deal is "closer than ever," Netanyahu believes military pressure will enhance the proposal.

Moreover, Israeli media revealed that four MKs from Netanyahu's Likud party asked the Prime Minister to replace Gallant, Halevi, brigade commanders, the military attorney general, and the spokesperson for the Israeli military before any confrontation with Hezbollah.

Ben-Gvir threatens to dissolve government

In a related context, the Israeli Mako news website reported that the conflict between Netanyahu and Gallant is just one of many the premier has had with his ruling coalition members.

The website revealed that Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened Netanyahu he "would be left alone" if he was not included in crucial discussions about the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.

Ben-Gvir said during a cabinet session, "I know the real meeting will be held immediately after us."

"We are here as a decoration, and after we finish - you and Gallant will sit down with the heads of the security establishment and wrap things up," he added.

He underlined that "half a million people did not elect me to sit in the government while the heads of the military and security establishment make the decisions."

In a similar vein, Channel 13's political affairs commentator Moriah Asraf Wolberg revealed that within the entity, they are talking about progress in the negotiations following Hamas' response two days ago. However, these negotiations, as per estimates, would last between 3 to 5 weeks, with many viewing the Mossad chief’s travel as not a start per se, but rather the beginning of negotiations, which are discussed in terms of several weeks and not just days.