Ben Gvir joins Smotrich in opposing reported government backtrack on Khan al-Ahmar

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is quoted by Hebrew media as joining Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in opposing the government’s reported intention to go back on its promise to evacuate the illegal Bedouin encampment of Khan al-Ahmar in the West Bank.

Reports earlier today said the government will cite ongoing talks with the residents of Khan al-Ahmar on a compromise plan that would resettle them elsewhere, and will also claim that a forced evacuation would have far-reaching diplomatic and security consequences.

According to various Hebrew media reports, Smotrich — a longtime advocate for demolishing the hamlet — has written a letter to Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs seeking to immediately halt the filing of the state’s response to the High Court petition.

“I support Minister Smotrich in his demand to not approved the state’s proposed response on Khan al-Ahmar,” Ben Gvir says, adding that such moves require Smotrich’s okay.

Ben Gvir also says he has conveyed a “clear message to [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu that if reports of the draft response are true, it is a shameful and grave decision.”