Lapid: Government must take hostage deal, it has ‘safety net’ if far-right ministers bolt

Opposition leader Yair Lapid says the government must take the hostage deal US President Joe Biden announced.

“The Israeli government cannot ignore President Biden’s important speech. There is a deal on the table and it should take it,” he writes on X.

“I remind Netanyahu that he has a safety net for a hostage deal if [National Security Minister Itamar] Ben Gvir and [Finance Minister Bezalel] Smotrich leave the government,” he adds, referencing his vow to support the coalition for a deal if far-right parties withdraw their support over their potential opposition to such an agreement.

ממשלת ישראל לא יכולה להתעלם מנאומו המשמעותי של הנשיא ביידן. יש עסקה על השולחן וצריך לעשות אותה.

מזכיר לנתניהו שיש לו מאתנו רשת בטחון לעסקת חטופים אם בן גביר וסמוטריץ׳ יעזבו את הממשלה.

— יאיר לפיד – Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) June 1, 2024