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Monday, October 13, 2025
Far-right minister warns Trump not to accept ‘fake peace,’ urges dismantling of Hamas
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAriela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
Settlements and National Projects Minister Orit Strock urges US President Donald Trump to ensure the demilitarization and dismantling of Hamas in Gaza, writing directly to the president in a series of long social media posts as Trump arrives at the Knesset amid the ongoing release of the 20 living Israeli hostages under the ceasefire deal that he brokered.
“It’s important that you remain committed to the key principles of demilitarizing Gaza, removing all threats from it toward Israel, and fully dismantling Hamas’ rule there,” she says in the posts on X to the president, whom she praises as a “true friend of Israel.”
“Don’t be tempted to believe that soldiers fought and paid with their lives only for the return of the hostages,” writes the far-right Religious Zionism lawmaker, who voted against the ceasefire and hostage-release deal alongside party leader and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
“You, who taught the entire world the concept of ‘fake,’ surely do not want to be associated with a ‘fake victory’ or a ‘fake peace,'” she continues.
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