Ben-Gvir threatens to leave government coalition over Gaza ceasefire
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The Israeli far-right is sowing discord in order to have the Israeli government throw out the Gaza ceasefire deal, viewing it as a defeat for the occupation.
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Israeli far-right Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, center, in a statement to the media at his office in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, on Thursday, January 16, 2025 (AP)
Far-right Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced Thursday that his Otzma Yehudit party would leave the coalition government if the recently mediated ceasefire agreement with Hamas is approved.
Ben-Gvir sharply criticized the deal, describing it as "reckless" and claiming it includes concessions that undermine the Israeli occupation achievements. "The agreement involves releasing hundreds of murderers, the return of hundreds of thousands of Gaza residents to the northern sector, including thousands of terrorists, withdrawal from the Philadelphi Route, and a ceasefire," he stated. According to Ben-Gvir, the deal "ends all the accomplishments we have achieved for the state and does not ensure the release of all the hostages."
Emphasizing his party's position, Ben-Gvir declared that Otzma Yehudit, under his leadership, "does not topple Netanyahu nor cooperate with the left and its goals against the government. However, we cannot remain part of a government that approves a deal providing a significant reward to Hamas and risks another catastrophe like October 7."
Israeli Channel 12 journalist Liel Dafna suggested that Ben-Gvir's stance aims to draw Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionist Party, and Likud Knesset members into opposing the agreement. Dafna noted that Ben-Gvir has not yet resigned to maintain pressure on the coalition while attempting to rally additional opposition to the deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Thursday that a "last-minute crisis" with Hamas was delaying the approval of a highly anticipated agreement to pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of captives.
Netanyahu's office stated that the Israeli Cabinet would not convene to approve the agreement until Hamas retracted the alleged recent demands. The Israeli government accused Hamas of reneging on certain aspects of the deal to extract further concessions.
This comes as Netanyahu faces mounting internal pressures in light of the ceasefire deal. His key far-right allies have expressed strong opposition to the deal even though it would get the captives out of Gaza.
Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has publicly rejected the agreement, while Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism party, voiced his concerns on X late Wednesday. Smotrich called the deal "bad and dangerous” for the Israeli occupation and demanded "absolute certainty" that the military could resume operations in Gaza if necessary.
The departure of Ben-Gvir's and Smotrich's factions from Netanyahu's coalition would destabilize the government, potentially leading to early elections, which is enough incentive for him to keep genociding Palestinians.
