Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir officially stepped down from his position on Sunday, alongside all other ministers from his Otzma Yehudit Party. The right-wing politician had previously announced that he would leave his post if the ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement moved forward. However, he added that he would consider returning to his role if the Israel Defense Forces resumed “fierce fighting” in Gaza after the initial phase of the deal was completed.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s governing coalition now holds a slim majority of 63 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, unlike Ben-Gvir, opted to stay in the government, explaining that his role was to ensure military operations continue until “all of the objectives of the war are achieved.”

In a public statement, Ben-Gvir criticized the agreement, calling it irresponsible. He expressed outrage over “the release of hundreds of murderers who have the blood of men, women, and children on their hands who are released to Jerusalem and the West Bank while abandoning the achievements of the IDF in the war, withdrawing troops from parts of Gaza, and suspending the fighting in what is a capitulation to Hamas.” The statement confirmed that his party would no longer be part of the coalition.

In his resignation letter addressed to Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir reminded the prime minister that he had joined what was intended to be a fully right-wing government.

“I must admit that, in addition to the great things we have done, there were things that were not as good. We did not always see eye to eye on policies, including the appeasement in the face of Gaza, which I repeatedly warned about before October 7. This dangerous deal that the government, under your leadership, signed is unfortunately a capitulation to terror.

{Matzav.com Israel}