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Richard Pater

ByRichard Pater, in Jerusalem

Analysis

War cabinet split could get worse if Temple Mount flares up again

Growing divisions in Israel’s ruling forum do not bode well for dealing with traditional Ramadan flashpoint

February 22, 2024 12:10
Itamar Ben-Gvir  at temple mount credit @itamarbengvir-a
4 min read

We are now in the month of Adar, traditionally a time for joy and merriment in the lead-up to Purim festivities. But here in Jerusalem I am yet to see any sense of celebrations. The mood matches the seasonal weather — bleak, with large grey clouds of grief engulfing the whole of the country.

A paradox weighs heavily on the collective psyche: that Israeli society continues to exhibit impressive fortitude and resilience, while at the same time the hostages, the grieving families, the injured, the displaced, and the welfare of the soldiers dominate everyone’s thoughts.

Compounding this is the ongoing political imbroglio, illustrated this week by the latest example of growing discontent among members of the war cabinet. Currently the highest forum for decision-making, it is made up of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, plus Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer — all three from Likud — and Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot from the more centrist National Unity Party.

In a letter to his partners, made public this week, Eisenkot wrote that the war cabinet’s “absence of impactful and meaningful decisions” has led to “a gradually increasing difficulty in achieving the war’s objectives.