Opposition Leader Yair Lapid reiterates his offer to provide Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a political safety net in order to advance a potential hostage deal despite the opposition of the premier’s far-right allies.
“I want to remind Netanyahu again, he doesn’t need them,” Lapid says, referring to far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
“I offered him a political safety net for a hostage deal. This offer is valid now, more than ever. If Netanyahu wants to and can make a deal, he and I know how to close the details of the safety net in half an hour,” Lapid says.
Earlier today, National Unity leader Benny Gantz also gave his backing to the emerging agreement.
Smotrich said that the agreement would be a “catastrophe” for Israel’s national security, while Ben Gvir has yet to publicly comment.
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From the Liveblog of
Monday, January 13, 2025
