“From now on, Jewish Power is not part of the government coalition,” writes Ben-Gvir’s party in a statement, according to Times of Israel. The party has held three ministerial posts.
In a message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ben Gvir praises “significant achievements under your leadership” but disapproves that Netanyahu has “capitulated to the terror deal, which crosses all ideological red lines,” the paper reports.
In the past, the far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has also expressed reluctance to a ceasefire and Ben-Gvir has called on him to quit the government. If that happens, Netanyahu would have lost his majority in parliament.
But in that case, opposition politician Yair Lapin has promised to stand behind and save Netanyahu’s government.
– It is of course difficult for Netanyahu. In that case, the question is how long Lapid will remain after the agreement goes through. He will be the one who can bring Netanyahu down later then, said Isabell Schierenbeck, professor of political science at the University of Gothenburg, earlier to SVT.
– Netanyahu is certainly trying to persuade Smotrich in different ways now. It could be about support for settlements or infrastructure in the West Bank, says Schierenbeck.