As Israel prepares to invade Rafah, right-wing Government ministers threatened to withdraw from the coalition if Israel postponed Operation Rafah.
Meanwhile, centrist and centre-left MKs argued that the government would lose legitimacy if it did not agree to the hostage deal.
Itamar Ben Gvir, minister of national security in President Otzma Yehudit's government, reiterated earlier statements on Sunday that such a deal would mean the end of the government. His ally, Finance Minister and Religious Zionist leader Bezalel Smotrich, said in a video posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday that “agreeing to the Egypt deal is a humiliating capitulation. “We will be handing victory to the Nazis on the backs of hundreds of people.” Heroic IDF combat soldiers who fell in battle. ”
Mr. Smotrich threatened to leave the government if Prime Minister Netanyahu agreed to the deal.
“If you wave the white flag and agree to immediately halt plans to enter Rafah, the government under your leadership has no right to exist,” he said.
Gantz: Rafa is important, but the hostages are urgent and much more important
Benny Gantz, a minister without portfolio who sits alongside Prime Minister Netanyahu in the wartime cabinet, wrote to X in response to Smotrich's threat, “Joining Rafah is important in the long-term struggle against Hamas. is. [but] The return of the hostages abandoned by the government on October 7 is urgent and of far greater importance. ”
Gantz said that if the security establishment supports a reasonable agreement that does not end the war and “the ministers who led the government on October 7th block it,” “the government has the right to continue.” It will disappear,” he said.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused the government of having to choose between two right-wing ministers and the interests of the Israeli state, saying: “This government has to choose: do we return the hostages alive? , Ben Gvir and Smotrich, or their relationship with Israel?” The Americans, or Ben Gvir and Smotrich, the Saudi agreement, or Ben Gvir and Smotrich, Israeli security, or Ben Gvir and Smotrich. ”
Liberman: It's time for politicians to take a moment and be quiet.
Avigdor Liberman of Yisrael Beiteinu, a right-wing party that is not part of the coalition government, commented on the exchange between ministers on Sunday, saying: “I urge all politicians to understand the gravity of this moment and take appropriate measures. I would advise you to do so.” Please be quiet for a moment.
He added: “All statements and press conferences are of no use, except for the human monsters of Hamas who religiously follow every statement. We will not negotiate in the media.” Ta.
