Far-Right Ministers Call for a New Vote on the International Stabilization Force and Board of Peace Recommendations

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Missions Minister Orit Strock have asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reconvene the security cabinet and overturn the recent approval that would allow roughly 200 troops from “friendly countries” to enter Gaza as part of the International Stabilization Force (ISF). They seek a preventative cabinet decision that blocks the current implementation plan.

Times of Israel

Last week the cabinet approved the launch of the Board of Peace’s pilot phase and granted legal immunity to the ISF, which is slated to operate alongside the Israel Defense Forces in areas of Gaza outside Hamas control. Deployment of ISF personnel would still require specific authorization from the prime minister, defense minister Israel Katz, and foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar. The same cabinet vote also approved a NIS 1.3 million budget for building 34 new settlements in the West Bank.

Times of Israel

Smotrich and Strock contend that the Board of Peace recommendations contain several undisclosed provisions that would weaken Israel’s ability to curb financial activity by entities deemed hostile. They cite changes to banking authority, new procedural steps before imposing financial sanctions, limits on the Israel Security Agency’s role in providing enforcement information, revisions to sanctions policy, and the creation of a new oversight mechanism. The ministers claim these measures would reduce the effectiveness of existing tools used by the banking system, the Tax Authority, and other agencies.

The Jerusalem Post

The ministers’ letter urges a rescind of the original approval and a fresh vote after full disclosure of the legal and operational implications. They maintain that had the complete details been presented, the cabinet would have understood the broader impact on national security and financial enforcement.

The Jerusalem Post

Opposition leader Yair Lapid questioned the ministers’ accusation of “incorrect information,” asking them to identify who in the cabinet provided the alleged misinformation, implying the claim might target Netanyahu. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir welcomed Smotrich’s stance, stating that only the State of Israel can defeat Hamas and that no international force will fulfill the role envisioned for the ISF.

Times of Israel