Netanyahu accuses Ben-Gvir of leaking details on Red Cross prison visits to the press

The proposal, firmly opposed by the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir and the prison service of Israel, will be discussed in another forum, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, of having disclosed details on the potential votes of the cabinet on the media, Kan reported on Friday.

“Before and during the meeting of the cabinet, I saw briefings on Arutz Sheva, Israel HayomAnd other places on which supports and opposes the decision on the visits of the Red Cross in the prisons, “said Netanyahu at the meeting of the cabinet after getting up and accused Ben-Gvir. He then deleted the proposal for visits to the Red Cross on the agenda, to be discussed in another forum.

Sources indicate that it is the “humanitarian cabinet”, which consists of Netanyahu, the Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich, the Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, and the MK Arye Deri, which meets at the time to discuss the humanitarian aid sent to Gaza.

What was the national security proposal during visits to the Red Cross?

The proposal in question, presented by the National Security Council, would have enabled the workers of the Red Cross to visit terrorists in Israeli prisons. However, it would have been deleted, due to the understanding of the National Security Council that it would never accept the majority of the support of ministers.

The proposal had two major points.

First, in accordance with the recommendations of Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), it would be prohibited for the Red Cross workers to visit or receive information on the prisoners of Gaza, as well as the prisoners affiliated in Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Second, the Red Cross would be authorized to visit all the other terrorist prisoners, subject to the restrictions of security officials.

This had to be a balance of the decisions of the High Court of Justice and international obligations with the need to strengthen restrictions on terrorists linked to the main Gaza groups.

However, Ben-Gvir had further expressed his opposition.

“While Hamas continues to hold hostages in Gaza, it is impossible for terrorists to benefit from preferential visits and conditions,” he said. “The National Security Council’s proposal is a serious error that signals the weakness for the enemy.”