Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Jewish Power party resigned Sunday in protest of the truce with Hamas in the Gaza Strip signed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. His party declared that all of its Cabinet ministers had tendered their resignation in protest due to the government’s unsatisfactory dealing with the ceasefire accord.
Ben-Gvir’s resignation did not lead to the overthrow of Netanyahu’s coalition government, and it did not affect the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestine. However, his resignation is regarded as a negative change in the government, especially in regard to the internal battle over the policies towards Gaza and Hamas.
The recent ceasefire accord signed to halt some recent violent actions in the Gaza strip has been so politically sensitive inside the Israeli political potentate. While some regard it as a move that will help avoid more violence, you will find some elements, such as Ben-Gvir, who will consider it to be counterproductive for Israel’s safety and an acceptable use for Hamas.
As the exit of the Jewish Power party from the government clearly depicts, the increasing confrontation exists not between Netanyahu and a specific opponent but within the larger Netanyahu coalition and the hard right elements within it. However, as of now, the coalition does not allow splitting, and therefore, it can be assumed that Ben-Gvir’s resignation may become a starting signal for the need to organize work on topics and proposed laws in the Knesset.
Ben-Gvir is not a friend of current Israeli PM Olmert, and he is an extreme rightist with effective leadership of the strong Jewish minority in the state that wants no concessions to Hamas. His resignation will be popular among his supporters; thus, the opinions on the government’s policies towards Gaza will continue to divide people.
While the coalition will be facing these challenges, Netanyahu has a critical role to play in balancing the several factions in his government before the politicking can destabilize the government in the next few months.
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