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I have a national responsibility for victory and security, and I am ready to pay the price," the Finance Minister wrote.
The statement indicated that Smotrich did not receive the assurances he demanded in an earlier meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich presents Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with list of demands to ensure Israel's security - even if a ceasefire deal with Hamas is signed.
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The post In ultimatum to PM, Smotrich comes out against ‘dangerous’ hostage deal appeared first on The Times of Israel.
Talks between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich regarding the hostage deal progressed significantly on Friday. Smotrich's demands from the prime minister that Israel will continue the war in Gaza and that Israel will have control over the distribution of humanitarian aid have been accepted.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sparked outcry Monday when he claimed he had repeatedly foiled a hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas over the past year, while calling on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to again join him in thwarting an emerging agreement.
Israel’s government approved the deal with Hamas after deliberations among the 33-member cabinet lasted for seven hours and unusually ran into early Saturday morning on Shabbat,
Even if Ben-Gvir and Smotrich'sparty oppose the deal, it will still have a majority in the government and is still likely to pass.
The staff members also claimed that Smotrich's decision regarding the support or lack thereof of the deal would be void of political considerations.