Israeli media: Netanyahu plans new war cabinet with Ben-Gvir
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Israeli media reports that Netanyahu is planning for a new War Cabinet with Ben-Gvir to secure Knesset law passage.
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Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir smile before Netanyahu's statement in the Knesset, in occupied al-Quds, May 23, 2023. (AP)
Israeli news website Makan said on Wednesday that Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to form a new War Cabinet set to include Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The site explained that Netanyahu intends to take this step to facilitate the approval of the Religious Jewish Services Law for the Shas party in the Israeli Knesset.
Politics breached Israeli occupation's security
War Cabinet member Benny Gantz stressed that negotiating to maintain this coalition is evidence that politics has "breached Israeli security".
Gantz directed his comments to settlers regarding Netanyahu's plans, "You should feel extremely concerned about Israeli security today and be upset with Netanyahu's administration."
Gantz then addressed Netanyahu, saying, "You know Ben-Gvir better than anyone else. Do not harm Israeli security."
Knesset member and opposition leader Yair Lapid described this planned Cabinet as a "deception," stating, "They will set up a forum for Ben-Gvir without any powers, and they will not allow him to decide anything."
In turn, the office of the Israeli government commented on the circulated plans for the new War Cabinet, stating that "the management of the war is handled by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, and the security apparatus. Initial decisions are made by the entire political and security cabinet, and this arrangement has not changed and will not change."
Moreover, the statement added, "This is about the possibility of creating a forum for consultation and staying informed of developments, which will not replace existing bodies or usurp their powers."
Religious services law
The law that Netanyahu aims to pass through the creation of the new War Cabinet was removed from the Knesset agenda two weeks ago after failing to secure a majority vote, and it stipulates the arrangement of salaries for religious service providers, known as the "Second Haredi Law," according to the news website.
Ben-Gvir announced at the time that he would not support the law due to the fact that he had not been included in the mini-government.
In the aftermath, the head of the Shas bloc, Knesset member Ya'akov Azoulay, ordered party members to leave the plenary session. After the departure of the Shas members, the coalition withdrew all legislation scheduled for that day because it did not have a majority among the deputies present to pass the laws. The plenary session was then closed and no laws were placed on the Knesset agenda for two days.
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