Ben-Gvir slams Israeli president for calling for national unity gov’t to return hostages

Israel’s far-right national security minister has slammed President Isaac Herzog for calling for the formation of a national unity government to return hostages held in Gaza. Itamar Ben-Gvir described Herzog’s call as “irresponsible” and supportive of Hamas propaganda.

On Monday evening, the Otzma Yehudit party led by Ben-Gvir issued a statement accusing Herzog of allying with “extreme left claims,” stressing that the current government is continuing its efforts to return the hostages. He also claimed that it is Hamas which is preventing the return of the hostages.

The extreme right-wing party called for greater “military pressure” on Gaza and an end to humanitarian aid and fuel until all hostages are released.

Herzog made his call for a unity government during a meeting with families of the Israelis held hostage in Gaza since 7 October last year. He called for intensifying the efforts to agree a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas. The situation has reached a “critical moment,” he said, and he stressed that the political system must unite with all its strength behind efforts to return the prisoners to their homes quickly.

“We must all do our utmost to push the decision-makers toward returning the hostages,” added the Israeli president, while acknowledging that any deal to return them would be “painful, but the price we would face without returning them would be even harsher for Israeli society.”

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