Israel gave a big blow to Donald Trump’s ‘peace deal’, said – this agreement does not apply to us
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Monday strongly criticized the alleged US-brokered deal with Iran. He said Israel would not be bound by any agreements announced by President Donald Trump and stressed that decisions related to the country’s security would be taken in Jerusalem, not Washington. This sharp reaction came immediately after Trump announced that an agreement with Iran had been completed. This agreement includes removing the US Naval blockade and reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Ben-Gvir wrote on Twitter that Trump’s agreement does not apply to Israel. He emphasized that Israel is not subservient to the US and stressed that the country is an independent and sovereign nation. “We love America and are grateful to President Trump. Still, Israel is no ‘banana republic,'” he stated.
Israel’s Security Comes First
In a lengthy statement, the right-wing minister said Israel’s first responsibility is to its citizens, soldiers and national security interests. He declared that the duty is towards the citizens of Israel, the IDF soldiers and the Jewish people. At the same time, he emphasized a historical duty to protect the Jews in the Land of Israel, given the persecution and murder of Jews throughout thousands of years of exile.
Ben-Gvir warned against bowing to international pressure and argued that earlier diplomatic agreements had weakened Israel’s security position. He cautioned that whenever Israel succumbed to international pressure by compromising on security, the country had to pay a heavy price in bloodshed. He cited the Oslo Accords, the Lebanon Accords of 2006 and the previous phase of restraint in Gaza as examples.
Ben-Gvir also said that he has repeatedly expressed his views to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He stressed that only historical decisions should be taken at historical moments.
We Are Not a Party to This Agreement
Ben-Gvir made clear that he opposes any agreement that in his view does not guarantee Israel’s security. “My position is clear: We are not a party to this agreement which does not ensure our security, and it does not bind us in any way,” he stated.
The minister stressed that Israel must settle for nothing less than the elimination of Hezbollah and maintain control over areas captured during military operations. He said that Israel must not withdraw from areas that its fighters have captured and liberated from terrorist infrastructure, and must not return to a situation where thousands of terrorists are positioned on the borders of northern settlements.
