The Gaza ceasefire sparked a political mutiny among far-right members of Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government, with ministers resigning or temporarily stepping down in protest at the agreement, raising the question of whether Netanyahu should be worried or if he can use this to his advantage. The pressure is growing, though, as the latest resignations also include military leaders.
Netanyahu’s coalition is facing turmoil over the signing and implementation of the Gaza ceasefire amid attacks from far-right ministerial incumbents, notably National Security Minister Itamar Ben- Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Ben-Gvir left the cabinet on January 19, promising to return if the Gaza war resumes “in full force.” Smotrich temporarily resigned and threatened to overthrow the government but announced on January 20 that he would return.
“We will not remain silent. The cries of our brothers’ blood call out to us. Our continued presence in the government depends on absolute certainty of resuming the war with full force—on a broad scale and with a renewed strategy—until we achieve a decisive victory, including the complete destruction of Hamas and the safe return of all hostages to their homes,” Smotrich said.