From the Liveblog of
Sunday, May 5, 2024
PM said to push back against far-right ministers’ criticism of pace of war: ‘Nobody needs to tell me what to do’
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"
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly pushes back during the cabinet meeting against criticism from far-right ministers over the pace of Israeli operations in Gaza.
In the wake of harsh public statements by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Netanyahu tells his cabinet that “nobody needs to tell me what to do or how to do it,” Hebrew media reports.
“Things are happening and will happen. I expect unity from this table,” he declares.
During the meeting, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announces that “over the last week, I have been very intensively involved in the preparation of the operation in Rafah – including today. The operation will happen soon, even very soon,” prompting pushback from far-right colleagues, Walla reports.
In response, Settlements and National Projects Minister Orit Strock shoots back that Gallant had said that “negotiations will only be conducted under fire – now this is not happening.”
Weighing in, Ben Gvir claims that Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi “do not let the IDF fight” — after which Netanyahu responds that “if anyone thinks we will abandon our intention to eliminate Hamas, they are wrong” and that although “there are delays,” Israel will “eliminate Hamas.”
The argument in the cabinet comes as protesters outside the building call for an immediate Rafah offensive.
Speaking with the demonstrators, Sports and Culture Minister Miki Zohar declares that accomplishing “the goals of the war are a necessary condition for the continued existence of the government,” Channel 12 reports.
