"We will not withdraw the IDF from the Gaza Strip and we will not release thousands of terrorists" - this is how Prime Minister Netanyahu responded to the threat of the Minister of National Security and chairman of Otzma Yehudit Itamar Ben Gabir, who tweeted yesterday: "Promiscuous deal = dissolution of the government."
In his speech at the "Bnei David" institutions in the Ali settlement, Netanyahu paid Ben Gabir immediately and in cash, confirming what he said earlier this week that he would do everything to preserve the 64 coalition.
By the way, Netanyahu did not say yesterday that he would not release terrorists, but that he would not release thousands of terrorists.
Long live the difference.
Prime Minister Netanyahu at Mochinat Ali: "We will not release thousands of terrorists"
What is strange is that Netanyahu is once again alarmed by the threats of Ben Gvir and the Minister of Finance and Chairman of Religious Zionism Bezalel Smotrich, who the next day followed him and tweeted: "Stopping the war is out of the question.
This means the loss of all the achievements we have achieved with the blood of our warriors.
It's a terrible message to the enemies around, and it won't happen."
The panic is incomprehensible, because these two have no other coalition.
They - who hold the far right end of the political map - were called to hear details of a deal being forged for the release of some of the abductees, and which includes the cessation of hostilities along with the release of many terrorists, some with blood on their hands.
While Smotrich did not threaten to dissolve the coalition, but only that he would not allow the deal, it is worth dwelling on Ben Gvir's words.
They contain an explicit threat to Netanyahu, that if he signs a deal, his political fate will also be sealed.
In fact, Ben Gvir tells him: 'Sign - and you don't have a government.
I'll break it down for you.'
Unnecessary panic, Netanyahu, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Ben Gvir's goal: to scare Netanyahu
But Ben Gvir threatens with a cardboard gun, and it too is out of bullets.
Even if he carries out his threat, where exactly will he go?
Netanyahu, Smotrich and the ultra-orthodox parties are his only coalition partners, and some of them no longer have patience for his childish games.
And the threat is particularly childish, since even if he leaves the government - Netanyahu will still have the option of including Lieberman as part of the war cabinet;
And Yesh Atid, whose joining the government was conditioned on the removal of Ben Gabir and Smotrich.
They will join and leave them to shout in opposition together with the Arab parties.
Chairman of Israel Beitenu, MK Avigdor Lieberman, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
And let's assume, for the purpose of the discussion, that Ben Gvir will succeed in leading the elections.
According to all the polls, he is indeed strengthening his power, but the right-wing bloc does not have enough mandates to form a government - and all of them together will sit in the opposition, and their supporters will beat him to overthrow a right-wing government again.
So that in any scenario Ben Gvir can only threaten, but not carry out his threat.
His sole purpose is to scare Netanyahu - not to prevent a deal that will take place in any case if Hamas agrees to Israel's terms, but to get more powers or budgets from him, or both.
And as mentioned, even before all of Ben Gvir's fans liked the tweet, Netanyahu found an opportunity and threw him a bone.
Ben Gvir will be able to tell his friends that he prevented the release of thousands of terrorists.
Let us just remind you that these too must remember and memorize morning and evening in Gaza there are 136 Israeli men and women who were kidnapped from their homes, on their watch, and hence a heavy duty is placed on them to increase their attempts to return them - and to decrease with worthless tweets and statements.
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