From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
At site of Katzrin rocket attack, Ben Gvir urges harsh response to Hezbollah
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Standing amidst the wreckage following a Hezbollah rocket barrage on the northern Israeli city of Katzrin in the Golan Heights, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir calls for a harsh response and demands that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu give him greater influence over the management of the conflict.
“One of the reasons I am so demanding to enter the limited cabinet is what is happening here now,” the far-right minister declares. “You also have to attack, you also have to make a campaign. This is the opportunity we must not miss.”
“The State of Israel needs to respond in the most unequivocal, clearest way,” he adds.
Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon launched more than 50 rockets at Katzrin this morning. While most of the rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome air defense system, several hit the city, causing heavy damage to homes and injuring one person.
Ben Gvir has repeatedly demanded inclusion in the now-defunct war cabinet, stating his desire to be among those leading the decision-making in the war. To that end, he has actively thwarted legislation pushed by fellow coalition party Shas in order to pressure the premier to appoint him to the forum or any potential successor bodies.
Netanyahu is widely regarded as deeply distrusting the firebrand far-right minister and refusing to include him in such decision-making forums, due to his tendency to leak information to the press.
Consultations on the ceasefire deal currently being debated — which has been opposed by Ben Gvir — are being held in a small forum comprising Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and Shas leader Aryeh Deri, as well as key security chiefs and negotiators.
