Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is reportedly “likely” to resign over the Gaza ceasefire deal, pulling his Religious Zionism Party out of the governing coalition.
The party convened this morning to deliberate on its role in government ahead of a likely cabinet vote on the agreement, according to Hebrew media reports.
This was due to take place at 9am GMT, but has been delayed at the last-minute as Prime Minister Netanyahu accused Hamas of reneging on sections of the deal.
A party official called the crisis "serious and real," according to Channel 12.
Knesset member Zvi Sukkot earlier told Israel's Reshet Bet radio that Religious Zionism was likely to leave the government. He emphasised that the party aims to "transform the DNA of the State of Israel" rather than simply hold positions in the coalition.
Smotrich has openly opposed the agreement, which was announced on Wednesday, as a “surrender deal” and a “catastrophe” for the Jewish state.
He has reportedly set conditions to stay in the government should the agreement be approved, including a commitment to resume fighting if Hamas is not overthrown within 42 days and to implement measures encouraging “voluntary migration” from Gaza.
His party has since released a statement demanding a return to the war after the first phase of the deal is over.
Reports suggest he held closed-door with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Tuesday and Wednesday (Picture: Getty)
It read: “The faction stands behind the demands of the party chairman, Minister Bezalel Smotrich, to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to ensure Israel’s return to the war to destroy Hamas and the return of all the hostages, including a change in the concept of decisive victory, immediately upon the conclusion of the first phase of the deal.”
Officials added that this was a “condition for the party to remain in the government and coalition”.
Reports suggest that he participated in closed-door meetings with Netanyahu on Tuesday and Wednesday.
National Security Minister and far-right ally Itamar Ben-Gvir is also threatening to pull his Otzma Yehudit Party from the coalition and has called on Smotrich to join him.
In contrast, Israeli leaders from both sides of the political aisle have come out in favour of the hostage deal.
Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition, said: “An entire country isn’t breathing tonight. We are all waiting, and we are all praying. But we cannot stop now, and the deal cannot end in its first part. I promise as I promised in the past a [political] safety net [for Netanyahu] until the last moment, until the last hostage. Everyone must return home.”
Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity Party, stated that “securing the release of the hostages from the arms of the murderous terror organisation Hamas is a top moral and strategic imperative. It is simply the only way forward.”
He extended thanks to the negotiators in Israel, Egypt and Qatar; to outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden; and to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump
The response to the deal has been similarly warm in the UK, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer describing it as a “huge relief”.
However, a statement released by Jeremy Corbyn and a group of pro-Gaza MPs drew criticism for failing to mention the hostages, Hamas or the atrocities of October 7, 2023.
