While claiming to weigh leaving gov’t, Ben Gvir says bringing it down not an option

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir responds to criticism from his far-right base that the government hasn’t responded forcefully enough to the terror attacks over the past several days.

“I do not determine security policy by myself,” he says in a statement. “There is no doubt that I have a certain influence, but it’s certainly not enough, and I often find myself frustrated by certain decisions.”

The cabinet — including Ben Gvir — voted unanimously last night to approve airstrikes in Gaza and Lebanon in response to rocket fire, so it was unclear how the national security minister differed from other ministers who have authorized the security policy he was coming out against.

Ben Gvir reissues his yet-to-be-fulfilled threat to quit the government and support the coalition from the opposition.

Still, he makes clear that “toppling the government is not an option.”

“With all its shortcomings, it is one thousand times better and more responsible than the previous government,” Ben Gvir says.

He goes on to blame the opposition for the recent security escalation, writing, “Even when their hands are not at the wheel, they continue to do harm. Their messages have undoubtedly encouraged our enemies to start a military conflict against us.”