Wynet: The Government Excluded "Smotrich" and "Ben Gvir" from the Decision to Open Humanitarian Corridors in Gaza

SadaNews - The "Wynet" website reported that the Israeli government excluded ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir from participating in the decision to open corridors for the United Nations in Gaza, under the pretext of "not desecrating the sanctity of the Sabbath."

 

The site stated that the political leadership's decision to open "financial corridors" for UN convoys in the Gaza Strip was made on Saturday during a phone call among members of the small government.

It added that a senior official close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu contacted National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Saturday evening and informed him of the decision, claiming that it was decided not to invite him and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich "because they do not want to desecrate the Sabbath" (to preserve the religious character of the sacred Sabbath for Jews).

According to "Wynet", Ben Gvir was furious, saying: "Just excuses. You did not want to involve us so we would not share our opinion with you. This is a grave mistake. You did not include me because you know that I oppose it. This is extremely dangerous."

The decision to open "humanitarian corridors" for UN convoys in the Gaza Strip came based on the directives of the political level in Israel, and the Israeli military announced on Saturday evening that safe corridors would be opened in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid, including airdrop assistance, to improve the humanitarian situation that is deteriorating due to the ongoing siege and war.

The decision was made during a meeting that included Netanyahu, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and senior security officials, without involving Ben Gvir and Smotrich, particularly due to the handling of sensitive humanitarian decisions in light of the significant tensions and the hardline positions of these two ministers.

Source: Wynet