From the Liveblog of
Sunday, July 21, 2024
Likud MKs say coalition will lose right to exist if Hamas allowed to remain in power in Gaza
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. 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"
Two legislators from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling party declare that the government will lose its right to be in power if it approves a deal allowing Hamas to remain in power in Gaza.
Speaking with The Times of Israel on Sunday afternoon, Likud MK Dan Illouz says that “if the war ends with Hamas still being in power then that would be something that is an existential threat to Israel and that’s not something I could be a part of.”
Asked if he would bolt the coalition if the government agrees to a deal with which he disagrees, Illouz says he will not comment on hypotheticals but insists that he had made “a very clear statement.”
Illouz was one of eight Likud lawmakers who wrote to Netanyahu over the weekend, stating that they would refuse to back the hostage deal being discussed by Israel and Hamas in indirect negotiations unless significant changes are made to the proposal.
The lawmakers insisted that “any agreement that includes the withdrawal of our forces from their current positions in the Gaza Strip is a complete defeat” and warned against withdrawing from the so-called Philadelphi Route along Gaza’s border with Egypt.
Likud MK Amit Halevi, who initiated the letter, indicates that he agrees with Illouz’s statement regarding the existence of the government and says that Israel needs to establish full control over Gaza in order to prevent Hamas’ return.
“I will not be part of a coalition that takes our soldiers out of Philadelphi,” he tells The Times of Israel.
Asked if that meant he would quit Likud or try to topple the government following such an agreement, he demurs, stating that he believes most party members and voters “think like me.”
“I think it will be horrible if our government, our coalition will lend a hand to the victory of this cruel enemy,” he adds.
Both Illouz and Halevi emphasize that their letter is not meant as a threat or ultimatum but is intended to “strengthen” Netanyahu against both internal and external pressure over the deal.
