Coalition source: PM manufacturing Philadelphi issue in order to scuttle hostage deal, stay in power

Haaretz cites an unnamed coalition source close to the government who says that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided several weeks ago that he did not want to strike a hostage release deal amid pressure from his far-right coalition partners.

He saw in the Philadelphi Corridor an issue that he would be able to use in order to torpedo the negotiations, the source tells Haaretz, explaining that Netanyahu understood that arguments in favor of maintaining Israeli presence there would convince moderate, right-wing voters.

Netanyahu’s ploy worked and the media has become heavily focused on the question of whether Israel should remain in the Philadelphi Corridor when the real question is whether the premier wants to free the hostages or maintain his coalition, the source tells Haaretz.

The news site reveals that the source is not Yoav Gallant, indicating that displeasure with Netanyahu within the coalition does not just lie with the defense minister.

“None of the ministers, even those who know that Netanyahu is scuttling a deal, will do anything. Their political survival depends on the life of the government, so this situation will continue. Netanyahu will lead to a never-ending war because that’s what’s best for him,” the source says.