Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has publicly declared that a new diplomatic agreement between the United States and Iran, recently announced by former President Donald Trump, does not bind the State of Israel. His strong remarks on Monday signify a significant divergence from the deal within the Israeli government.
Israel's Sovereignty and Security
Ben Gvir asserted that Israel is not subject to the United States and operates as an independent, sovereign nation. “Trump's agreement does not bind us. Israel is not subject to the United States, and we are an independent and sovereign nation!” Ben Gvir wrote. He underscored Israel's primary responsibility to its citizens, soldiers, and the Jewish people, cautioning against making security concessions under international pressure. He stated that past instances of succumbing to such pressure resulted in a “blood price with interest,” citing historical events like the Oslo Accords and the 2006 Lebanon agreement.
While expressing gratitude to the United States and President Trump, Ben Gvir insisted that decisions concerning Israel's national security must remain exclusively in Israeli hands. He reportedly conveyed this position to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in both public and private discussions.
Conditions for Security
The minister outlined several non-negotiable conditions for Israel's security. These include:
- The complete dismantling of Hezbollah.
- Retaining territory captured from militant groups.
- Preventing armed operatives from returning to Israel's northern border.
- Responding militarily to any future attacks, proposing that any drone or missile from Lebanon should trigger an Israeli strike on Beirut's Dahiya district as a deterrence.
“We must not compromise on anything less than the dismantling of Hezbollah,” Ben Gvir stressed, adding, “The days are over when the Jew took blows and kept silent. Never again!”
Other Reactions
Former Deputy Prime Minister Benny Gantz also reacted critically to the emerging agreement. Gantz stated, “Under no circumstances - it is forbidden to agree to restrict Israel's freedom of action in Lebanon or to a withdrawal that endangers the residents of the north.” He described the potential deal as a “strategic failure” that would necessitate significant diplomatic, military, and legal struggles for Israel in the coming years, which he believes only a broad Zionist government could effectively lead.
The US-Iran agreement reportedly includes the termination of military operations across multiple fronts, including Lebanon, as confirmed by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This development, however, faces staunch opposition from key figures within the Israeli government.