Channel 13 reported on a clandestine gathering between two prominent Israeli officials and a senior member of the Fatah party, the governing faction of the Palestinian Authority, focusing on post-war governance in the Gaza Strip.
Representing Israel were the Coordinator for Government Activities in Territories and a senior Shin Bet official.
The report did not confirm Prime Minister Netanyahu’s authorization of the meeting, and his office remained silent on the issue. Typically, such meetings necessitate the Prime Minister’s approval.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir responded to the report, expressing concerns about the engagement between IDF and Shin Bet officials with a senior Fatah member. He called upon the Prime Minister to clarify whether he endorsed and directed these interactions or if they occurred independently under the Defense Minister and professional echelon.
Ben-Gvir emphasized that if Netanyahu seeks total victory, he must reject the notion of the Palestinian Authority, which financially supports terrorists, governing Gaza post-war.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reiterated the government’s stance, stating that the cabinet had unequivocally ruled out the PLO as a post-war option for Gaza.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich mentioned that “the cabinet decided unequivocally that the PLO is not an option for the day after the war in Gaza. If the meeting in question was held without the authority of the political echelon, this is a severe action at the highest level. On the other hand, if the Prime Minister knows of this and does it against the decision of the cabinet, this is a severe action at the highest level. Either way, a clarification is required. Not for me, but for the Israeli public.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
