During a political-security cabinet meeting, a dispute arose between National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the release of bodies of terrorists held by Israel.
Minister Gallant asserted: “The defense minister has the authority to approve the return of terrorists’ bodies. A question arose concerning the bodies of terrorists with Israeli citizenship, and I decided to hold the body of Walid Daka and release five other terrorists’ bodies. Minister Ben-Gvir decided to disregard me and instructed the police not to comply.”
In response, Ben-Gvir stated: “This is a democratic state. In the process, it is determined that the National Security Minister is asked, and indeed my position is against this. I think that releasing the bodies of Israeli terrorists is negligent. It also harms our ability to release them in exchange for hostages or hostages’ bodies. I don’t understand the rush to release; we need to hold on to the bodies.”
ISA director Ronen Bar backed Gallant’s stance: “There is not much value in holding the bodies of Israeli terrorists. It just creates friction with Israeli Arabs.” Minister Ben-Gvir countered: “Unfortunately, you also made these assessments before October 7th, and the fact is that in deals, Hamas demanded the release of Israeli Arabs.”
Justice Minister Yariv Levin questioned: “I don’t understand where the right to release bodies suddenly comes from? Where is it determined? No body of an Israeli Arab should be released.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu then joined the conversation, emphasizing: “Hamas demanded them, and we did not release them.” The ISA head pointed out that “we have not yet reached the stage of the bodies.” Ben-Gvir questioned the timing of the release, and the Prime Minister supported his view, stating, “We have no choice – we don’t need to release now.”
Minister Gallant, visibly frustrated, retorted: “So I give up my authority to make decisions – decide what you want.” Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara then reminded Gallant: “You cannot give up your authority.”
The Prime Minister concluded that an announcement would be issued to the Supreme Court, stating Israel’s decision not to release the body of terrorist Walid Daka. He finalized: “We determine that the bodies of Israeli Arabs will not be released until a further decision.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
only exchange/release a body for a body !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bury them in pig skin