Posted on 01/19/2025 7:50:10 PM PST by Miami Rebel
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, nothing if not a skilled political operator, took a page from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s playbook by quitting the government Sunday morning just before the implementation of a gut-wrenching decision dealing with Gaza.
Netanyahu, a master politician, served in Ariel Sharon’s government as finance minister in 2005 and quit Sharon’s government on August 7, just days before the IDF began its withdrawal from the coastal strip.
He explained his move to the country in a press conference, saying, “Gaza is becoming a base for Islamic terror. Everyone sees this. Hamas is getting stronger and taking credit for what looks like our running away under fire.”
Beyond the similar rhetoric – Ben-Gvir called the current deal a surrender to Hamas – there are striking similarities along with some important differences in these steps.
The most striking similarity is that neither move was taken to actually stop the policy – because neither Netanyahu then nor Ben-Gvir today – had the votes to do that, but rather to build up political capital for the future.
(Excerpt) Read more at jpost.com ...
The ultra-orthodox are supposed to serve Israel by searching the Torah for anything that might help Israel.
The ultra-Orthodox were given special treatment back in 1948 when they were just a small remnant of the thriving haredi population of Poland and Eastern Europe. The great yeshivas had been practically wiped out and the new government wanted to protect the last strands of that community.
Decades later that population has exploded. It is the poorest segment of the Israeli population with pathetic secular education, with the highest birth rates, and with tremendous demands for social services. Secular and mainstream Orthodox Jews are rightfully fed up with their special treatment, not the least of which is avoidance of military service. The biblical heroes they study never shirked their obligations to bear arms.
I agree the ultra orthodox are failing their country by not living up to the agreement they have.
He is more like the Israeli Steve Bannon. A provocateur, but not really that radical.
You’re forgetting how liberal most of Israel is. To the liberal, deviation from the ‘norm’ is radicalism.
You are absolutely right! The media/deep state there is very left embedded, and has only recently been getting peeled back. It is why the country almost self destructed over the attempt to fix their supreme court.
What?
If he stayed in the Cabinet, it would mean he supports the suicidal Peace Agreement negotiated by Trump's envoy and Netanyahu.
Our only hope - Netanyahu will reject the Peace Agreement after Trump becomes President.
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