Israeli Right slam gov't decision to allow foreign observer visits for imprisoned Nukhba terrorists

• Published date: 26 April 2024
• Author: TAL SHILO
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed approving the visits, which was supported by the majority of cabinet ministers, except ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who opposed it

Ben-Gvir commented on the decision, saying, "These visits harm deterrence and negotiations with Hamas, raise the morale of the terrorists, may lead to riots in the prison, and beyond that, it is a violation of Israeli sovereignty, and an opening for international intervention in other issues in the future. No country that holds dear its sovereignty and security would allow this to happen."

Smotrich, who did not directly comment on the visitation approval, criticized the Mossad and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) after the cabinet discussion, saying that there are those in Israel who "repeatedly debase Israel and erode its positions and only make Sinwar toughen his and lower the chance of returning the hostages. The time has come for the Mossad and the Shin Bet to go back to doing what they were trained to do: eliminate the leaders of Hamas all over the world, not in negotiations that are conducted irresponsibly and harm Israel's security."

Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Liberman posted to X, saying, "Throughout the day in all the news broadcasts, we heard that the political-security cabinet met to discuss the abductee deal. At the end of the meeting, the political-security cabinet decided to approve visits to the Nukhba terrorists. This is truly a 'full-on right-wing' government."

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar also criticized the move, saying, "The decision to allow visits to the Nukhba terrorists while our hostages suffer in enemy captivity and do not receive a single visit. It is delusional and unacceptable. As long as Hamas refuses to allow the Red Cross to visit the hostages, visits to the terrorists must not be allowed at all."

Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton from the New Hope Party wrote, "This is total [moral] bankruptcy. Allowing visits to the Nukhba terrorists who massacred, raped, and blasphemed is the weakness and failure of the war cabinet and the prime minister. Instead of having fixed, hardened positions and increasing military pressure to return the hostages and end the war, the Israeli government is giving it away 'for free.' That's not how you win a war!"

Hostage family organizations slam government

Forum Tikva, which brings together the families of hostages, expressed shock at the decision's approval.

"Our dear children have been...