🇮🇱 POLITICAL CONDEMNATION BROADENS: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “The IDF is the sovereign authority in Judea and Samaria and is responsible for implementing the decisions of the political leadership. Taking the law into one’s own hands, particularly by public officials, is unacceptable and interferes with the IDF’s ability to focus on its missions against terrorism and incitement.”
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar issued the first condemnation from within the coalition: “MK Sukkot is not the sovereign authority in Judea and Samaria. Decisions must be made and carried out solely by the state and its authorities, the IDF, and the security forces. That is also the message elected officials should convey to the public. Unfortunately, MK Sukkot knowingly did the opposite.”
Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich also reprimanded Sukkot. He told him that the correct course was to act with authorization and within one’s authority, as had been done regarding the settlements, and demanded that he not do anything similar again.
In separate internal criticism, Religious Zionism faction chairman Ohad Tal attacked Smotrich: “I want to understand—is this coordinated with the campaign? Is there some sophisticated strategy here that I’m not understanding, or have we simply decided to commit political suicide?”
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett accused the government of harming Israel’s security and international standing for political publicity, saying: “Terrorism is fought through actions, not pathetic provocations.” He specifically accused Smotrich and Sukkot of interfering with IDF missions and risking soldiers’ lives for election videos.
Gadi Eisenkot said Sukkot “lied to and misled the IDF and its commanders, harmed security and tarnished the entire State of Israel.” He also accused Netanyahu of having dismantled, through the coalition agreement, the system that enabled security and governance in Judea and Samaria, arguing that this allows figures such as Sukkot to act without restraint, endangers settlement security and harms Israel’s international standing.
🔹 GOLAN ACCUSES SUKKOT; SUKKOT DENIES CLAIM AND THREATENS SUIT: Yair Golan accused Sukkot of being responsible for IDF forces moving to Judea and Samaria instead of remaining in southern Israel on the eve of October 7. He also accused Sukkot of breaking into IDF bases and attempting to inflame further confrontation, saying Sukkot should be “behind bars, not in Israel’s Knesset.”
Sukkot directly denied the troop-transfer allegation: “You have exactly half an hour to delete this lie. Not even a single soldier was transferred from the south to Judea and Samaria because of me. If you don’t delete it, you will be sued and will have to pay, just like your good friend Dan Harel.”
Golan’s post was subsequently deleted.
🔹 YAEL RON BEN MOSHE REJECTS GANTZ’S NEW POLITICAL FRAMEWORK: MK Yael Ron Ben Moshe informed Benny Gantz that she would not join the new political framework he is working to establish, another defection from the initiative.
“A short while ago, I informed Benny Gantz of my final decision not to take part in the new political framework he is working to establish. The effort to create unity is immensely worthwhile, but in my view, in its current form and at this time, not only could the effort prove futile, it could even cause harm. The possibility that some members of the new framework (who are worthy people with many achievements to their credit) would be unwilling to join a government that Gadi Eisenkot seeks to form in order to bring about the change the country needs is, in my eyes, an extremely serious risk — and for me, a bright red line.”
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