Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir resigned from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government on Sunday in protest against a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza. His party, the far-right Jewish Power (Otzma Yehudit), announced that its Cabinet ministers had submitted their resignations in opposition to the deal.
While Ben-Gvir's departure does not threaten the ceasefire itself, it does create instability within Netanyahu's coalition government. The Jewish Power party criticized the ceasefire as a "capitulation to Hamas," condemning the release of numerous Palestinian prisoners and claiming it undermined the Israeli military's accomplishments in the conflict.
Despite the resignation, the coalition remains intact, and Ben Gvir stated that his party will not attempt to topple Netanyahu's government. He had previously indicated that he would withdraw from the coalition if the Cabinet approved the hostage-ceasefire deal, which he described as "reckless" and detrimental to Israel's interests.
Ben Gvir's resignation follows a pattern of political maneuvering similar to past actions by Netanyahu, aimed at consolidating support among right-wing voters. Although his exit does not immediately jeopardize Netanyahu's position, it reduces the coalition's majority and could lead to further challenges if other far-right lawmakers choose to leave as well.