After the War Cabinet unanimously decided, on the recommendation of the IDF and the Shin Bet, to comply with the US request to bring two diesel tankers into Gaza a day, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sent a strong letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, demanding a change in the composition of the War Cabinet. The Prime Minister's Office said Netanyahu would convene the political-security cabinet on Saturday night.
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"This decision is extremely puzzling. This is a decision that spits in the faces of IDF soldiers, abductees and their families and bereaved families. It is also contrary to the decision of the political-security cabinet, and is therefore illegal. That's not how you win a war, that's not how you destroy Hamas and that's not how you bring back the hostages," Smotrich wrote.
He continues, blaming the small cabinet: "I demand that you stop this scandal immediately and prevent the entry of fuel into the Gaza Strip. I agreed to the establishment of the limited War Cabinet, knowing that it was intended to accompany the tactical decisions of the day-to-day conduct of war and with your commitment that it would not replace the enlarged War Cabinet in setting policy and strategic decision-making. I cannot agree with my exclusion from setting war policy and leaving it only in the hands of those who for years were part of the conception that shattered us all in our faces with Simchat Torah. I can't agree to that."
The letter sent by Smotrich, photo: None
"In light of this conduct, which is unacceptable, I demand that the composition of the War Cabinet be changed to include a representative of each party that is a member of the coalition. We all bear responsibility as one, and we all need to be partners in its realization in decision-making and policymaking," he concluded.
The cabinet's decision caused a great storm in the political system, and anyone who was not a decision maker attacked the choice to accede to the Americans' demand. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attacked: "Once again, policy decisions are closed by the War Cabinet, which is leading Israel to a mistaken conception. As long as our hostages don't even get a Red Cross visit, it makes no sense to give the enemy 'humanitarian gifts.'"
"This is a finger in the eye for IDF soldiers, bereaved families and families of the missing and abducted. Reminds that policy change must be made in the enlarged cabinet and not in rooms, but by those who are not authorized to make decisions alone. I will demand that the prime minister bring policy-related decisions to an expanded cabinet."
Once again, policy decisions are closed by the War Cabinet, which is leading Israel to a mistaken conception. As long as our hostages do not even receive a visit from the Red Cross, it makes no sense to give the enemy "humanitarian gifts." This is a finger in the eye for IDF soldiers, bereaved families and families of the missing and abducted. Reminds that policy change must...
— Itamar Ben-Gvir (@itamarbengvir) November 17, 2023
MK Zeev Elkin said: "I warned in recent weeks and unfortunately I was right.A red line crossed once will be crossed repeatedly. Surrendering to pressure and agreeing to fuel entry into the Gaza Strip without any compensation for releasing the hostages is a serious mistake!The approach must be: zero fuel for the Gaza Strip, certainly as long as the abductees have not been released."
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