Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir and and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich are reported to be quite furious about Netanyahu’s apparent acceptance of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan. Last night, on Oct. 4, Ben-Gvir threatened to take himself and his party out of the government if Hamas “continues to exist” after the release of the hostages. “In light of recent developments, myself and the Otzma Yehudit faction informed the prime minister in a clear manner: if after the release of the hostages the Hamas terror organization remains in existence, Otzma Yehudit will not be part of the government,” he proclaimed.
Ben-Gvir further stated that his party “would, like everyone, be happy to see the hostages return home,” but says that his party “can in no way agree to a scenario in which the terror group which brought about the greatest ever catastrophe upon the State of Israel will be able to resurrect itself.”
Smotrich was equally critical but doesn’t yet seem to be threatening to leave the government. “The prime minister’s decision to halt the offensive in Gaza and to, for the first time, conduct negotiations without being under fire is a serious mistake,” he said. He added that the move is also “a sure recipe for Hamas stalling for time and a growing erosion of the Israeli position, both with respect to the release of the hostages in one go within 72 hours, and with respect to the central war goal of eliminating Hamas and completely demilitarizing Gaza.”
