Smotrich, Netanyahu in crisis after decision on Gaza humanitarian ceasefire
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are in a 'real' crisis and the relations between them are 'very, very tense and complicated,' following the prime minister's decision over the weekend without Smotrich's knowledge to enact 'localized humanitarian ceasefires' in Gaza, an official told The Jerusalem Post on Monday.
According to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, if Smotrich did not receive 'real and concrete' guarantees from the prime minister regarding defeating Hamas, Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party could be 'on its way out' of the government.
With the coalition currently numbering just 60 MKs following the departure of the two haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties earlier in July, the departure of Smotrich's seven MKs would likely topple the government.
At press time on Monday evening, the usually vocal Smotrich had yet to comment publicly on the political tension or on the decision regarding the ceasefires, which the IDF announced early on Sunday morning.
The silence was especially notable due to Smotrich's harsh criticism throughout the war against distribution of aid by non-Israeli entities. The RZP leader said in April that he would leave the government if 'even a grain' of aid reached Hamas, and has repeatedly argued that the terrorist group's confiscation of humanitarian aid has enabled it to survive.
The silence was also notable in lieu of comments by his fellow party member and National Security Cabinet member, Settlements and National Missions Minister Orit Strock. In an interview on Channel 14 on Sunday evening, Strock said that there was an 'unexplainable' gap between decisions made by the NSC and the reality of what is happening. She said that the ceasefire looked like 'surrender' and that if Netanyahu did not give an adequate explanation 'in deeds, not just words,' there was 'nothing for me to do in the government,' Strock said.
Smotrich was 'strongly opposed' to the decision
A member of Smotrich's party confirmed on Sunday that he had not been part of the decision regarding the humanitarian ceasefires and had not had prior knowledge of it. He was 'strongly opposed' to the decision, a spokesperson added on Monday in response to a query. The spokesperson added that Smotrich's silence was related to ongoing discussions regarding a potential decision that would 'make it [the silence] clear in hindsight.' The spokesperson said he could not expand further.
Smotrich initially scheduled a closed-door meeting of his party for Monday evening to discuss the issue. However, the meeting was postponed due to a security consultation called by the prime minister, the spokesperson confirmed.
In a conversation with the Post on Monday afternoon, RZP faction leader MK Ohad Tal said, 'We don't know how to live with a reality of war in Gaza that isn't moving toward decisive victory – while aid continues to be transferred to Hamas on the backs of our soldiers, and we're achieving neither the defeat of Hamas nor the return of the hostages.'
Tal continued, 'The next two days will be very critical in determining whether we stay or not. If Bezalel [Smotrich] hears from the prime minister not just a theoretical willingness to defeat Hamas, but a clear, organized work plan backed militarily and diplomatically for victory, then we'll be happy to stay. But if that's not the case, we'll have no choice and will have to go to an election.'
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