Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today (Sunday) at the beginning of the cabinet meeting that "I don't need help to know how to navigate our relations with the US and the international community, while standing firm on our national interests.
I've been doing this for several years" - thereby alluding to the interview of the Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gabir, who told the "Wall Street Journal" that "with Trump it was different".
"I don't need help to know how to navigate our relations with the US." Prime Minister Netanyahu, photo: Tomer Appelbaum
Netanyahu added that "Israel is a sovereign country, and we greatly appreciate the support we have received from the Biden administration since the outbreak of the war. This does not mean that we do not have differences of opinion, but to date we have been able to overcome them with determined and considered decisions. I want to clarify our policy - the necessary goal is first The entire elimination of Hamas, and efforts to free our hostages continue all the time."
"We are all ambassadors of Israel abroad"
Netanyahu made it clear: "We will not end the war before we complete all its goals: the elimination of Hamas, the return of all our abductees, and a promise that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel," and emphasized that efforts to free the abductees continue all the time.
"We will not agree to any deal, and not at any price."
In the meantime, the political system is in turmoil following Ben Gabir's words in an interview he gave to the American newspaper in which he attacked the conduct of the government he is a member of and pointed an accusing finger at the American administration Joe Biden.
It is interesting to promote the issue before the elections.
Biden, photo: AFP
In a conversation with Israel Hayom, the former Minister of Internal Security and one of the well-known political figures in Likud, former Minister Uzi Landau, reacted sharply: "In the government, Minister Ben Gabir is a vocal oppositionist who behaves like a neighborhood bully and in the international arena he causes us lasting damage.
We learned from Begin that we do not attack the State of Israel and its government abroad.
The criticism must be heard in Israel.
We are a democratic country and not Iranian exiles.
Abroad, we are all ambassadors of Israel."
Former minister Landau harshly accused the current minister Ben Gabir of the heavy damages he is causing to the country and the government during this period and put him in a group similar to those who seek harm to Israel in the world.
Stands in line with "Breaking the Silence"
"He joined a continuous band of 'formers of all kinds' who attack the Israeli government from every stage in the world, from the stage of the UN and other institutions.
"Unfortunately, he caused very heavy damage and he stands in the same line as groups and organizations such as 'Natori Karta', 'Breaking the Silence' and 'Betzlem' - they are no longer alone."
Uzi Landau, photo: Dodi Vaaknin
In the Israeli domestic political arena, the former minister says to Landau that the delegitimization that Ben Gvir is doing to the National Camp, Likud, and the YS settlers is already being reflected in Israeli public opinion - something that could lead to the loss of power for many years.
"Minister Ben Gabir makes it easy for the opposition to use him and present him as if he were an authentic model of the liberal national camp.
In his behavior he makes fun of the work of the government, the national camp, the prime minister and also the settlers of Yesha - and they are really, really not like him.
By his behavior he will lower the national camp to the opposition for many years.
He makes it easier for the left to present Yesha settlers as if they resemble him and because of political figures like him there is no chance that settlers will settle in the hearts of the people - he is setting them back years."
"His behavior, his style and the way he speaks, even if he says the right things, will be met with fierce opposition, all because of who he is and how he is portrayed. He is trampling on the unity that is so fragile and important these days."
Minister Ben Gabir at a conference to encourage the return to Gush Katif, this week, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
"When it comes to international relations, he has a total lack of understanding," said Minister Landau, referring to the publication of the interview in the "Wall Street Journal".
"There really are differences of opinion between Israel and the Biden administration, but they should be conducted through the accepted channels.
You don't want to get involved in American politics, especially in an election year."
Dos and don'ts when you are a member of the government
Finally, Landau concluded: "I was in the government for many years and certainly in the Ministry of Internal Security."
When you are a minister in the government, you are responsible for everything the government does.
There is huge importance and clear rules of 'do's and don'ts when you are a member of the government'.
This is a way of state conduct that every minister and member of the government must act on."
Minister Deri stood next to the American President and wrote: "Thank you, US President Joe Biden. The people of Israel will forever remember how you stood up for the right of Israel in one of our most difficult hours. You and America are a kingdom of kindness," he also indirectly referred to the minister of the interview Ben Gabir And he added that "even between friends and comrades there are differences of opinion. You pay a personal and political price to help us and for that we will thank you forever. God will protect you and America."
Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
We will recall that Minister Ben Gabir said in the first interview he gave to foreign media since the formation of the government that the former US President, Donald Trump, would be "better for Israel than the incumbent President Joe Biden.
"Instead of giving us his full backing, Biden is busy providing humanitarian aid and fuel to Gaza, which goes to Hamas," and added: "If Trump was in power, the conduct of the United States would be completely different."
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