From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
PMO denies report Netanyahu in talks for new war-managing forum that includes Ben Gvir
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
The Kan public broadcaster reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in talks to create a new body to manage the war in Gaza that will include National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, as part of an effort to placate the far-right politician who has been thwarting some legislation pushed by fellow coalition party Shas.
The Prime Minister’s Office issues a swift denial.
“The report is incorrect,” says the PMO. “The war is managed by the Prime Minister, the Defense Minister and the security agencies, and the core decisions are made by the entire security cabinet — this has not changed and is not about to change.”
The PMO explains that Netanyahu is looking to create “a forum for consultations and updates that will not replace the existing bodies and will not take their authority.”
Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit comments that talks between the sides are still ongoing.
