Itamar Ben-Gvir: No return to Netanyahu government without "deeds, not t

Otzmah Yehudit party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir issued a statement to the press today (Thursday) saying that he will not return to the government unless the Netanyahu government backs up its support for relocation of Gazans with deeds and not just words.

In his statement, Ben-Gvir said that "I'm sorry to disappoint the various briefers: I will return to the government only if the Prime Minister decides to defeat Hamas and chooses a path of actions and not of words.

He then explained himself that despite Trump's announcement of a plan to relocate Gazans to other countries, that is not enough: "Trump and Netanyahu's statements are important, but as long as no actions are taken, I cannot be a partner in a government that releases terrorists and does not defeat Hamas."

Ben-Gvir repeatedly and enthusiastically welcomed Trump's support for the idea of relocating Gazan civilians from the war-torn Strip, an idea he advanced already in the beginning of the war along with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

He also welcomed Defense Minister Katz's decision to issue instructions to the IDF to prepare a plan for the voluntary exit of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, calling it an "important step" and calling on the government to work to ensure it is carried out, including removing all bureaucratic obstacles in its path.

Earlier this week, Ben-Gvir's party submitted a law proposal which if passed, would provide a basket of state financial aid to any Gazan who wishes to leave the Strip voluntarily.

The aid would come on two conditions: the recipient cannot have any ties to terrorism, and any Gazan who wishes to return to the Strip afterward would have to pay back the sum they received with heavy interest.

Prime Minister Netanyahu himself has supported the idea of allowing Gazans to leave the strip if they so choose, with the caveat that they be allowed to freely return, in contrast to President Trump who suggested their relocation be "permanent."