From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Ben Gvir urges Smotrich to join him in threat to bolt government if hostage deal goes through
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. 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"
Otzma Yehudit chief National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir calls on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to join forces with him to prevent a “surrender” deal by threatening to bolt the coalition.
“Otzma Yehudit alone does not have the ability to prevent the deal. I suggest that we go together to the prime minister and inform him that if he passes the deal we will resign from the government,” Ben Gvir declares.
The two far-right parties ran together in the last election, but operate independently. Ben Gvir and Smotrich have also been at odds in recent weeks over funding for the police in the budget.
“I emphasize that even if we are in opposition, we will not bring down the prime minister, but this cooperation is our only way to prevent the surrender deal… and ensure that the deaths of hundreds of soldiers were not in vain,” Ben Gvir says.
The Times of Israel Community.