Following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech on Monday about the deaths of six hostages held by Hamas and the subsequent mass protests, many political figures voiced support or condemnation of his stance.
Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity Party, reminded the public of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s reluctance to enter the Philadelphia Corridor, saying, “A man who was afraid of launching military action in Gaza and who did not want any military action in southern Gaza at all, today explained to the whole country the importance of the areas he did not want to enter.”
“What really bothers him is not the Philadelphia corridor, but the Ben-Gbir-Smotrich axis,” said Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition Yesh Atid party.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke at least one truth: he does not want to end the war. He said that three times. He does not want to end the war, which means he does not want to make a hostage deal. He wants to keep the war going forever. There was one frightening implication of his words tonight: he will not make a deal.”
“You know the truth and you are running away from it,” said Gadi Eisenkot, a National Unity Party lawmaker and former member of the war cabinet.
Mixed opinions
Netanyahu has also faced criticism from his own government after Aryeh Deri, leader of Israel’s Shas party, told Israeli media that the vote to abandon the Phildelphi Corridor was a “serious error that ties our hands.”
Netanyahu received strong support from government officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who said he “supports a prime minister who has taken a firm stance against his enemies and sent a clear message to the Israeli people and the whole world.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also supported the prime minister, saying, “It is forbidden to leave the Philadelphia Corridor by agreeing to an outrageous deal. Just as we must not abandon and abandon the Philadelphia Corridor, we must not abandon other principles that will ensure victory in the war.”