On January 19, 2025, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir resigned from his position, triggering significant political shifts within the country. Ben-Gvir, a leading figure in Israel’s far-right political spectrum, announced his departure following mounting disagreements over the approval of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
Ben-Gvir's resignation also resulted in his party, the Jewish Power Party (JPP), withdrawing from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government. In addition to Ben-Gvir, several other ministers from the JPP are expected to step down in the coming days. This political move follows strong opposition from the JPP to the ceasefire agreement, which was seen by many as a necessary step towards de-escalating the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The ceasefire, negotiated after weeks of intense discussions, was presented as a crucial initiative to bring stability to the region. However, for Ben-Gvir and his party, it represented a compromise that they could not accept. Earlier in the week, Ben-Gvir had warned the Israeli Knesset that he would not support any agreement involving negotiations with Hamas and threatened to withdraw from the government if the ceasefire was approved.
Despite the high-profile resignation and the exit of Ben-Gvir’s party, experts suggest that Netanyahu’s government is unlikely to face significant instability. The JPP held only six seats in the Knesset, meaning the coalition’s majority will decrease from 68 to 62 seats. While this reduces the margin of control, it remains sufficient for the government to maintain its parliamentary majority.
Ben-Gvir’s resignation comes at a time when the ceasefire has already taken effect, with reports indicating that Hamas has released three Israeli hostages as part of the agreement. This development has sparked further discussions about the political implications for Israel, particularly as the government navigates the delicate balance between security concerns and the need for diplomatic dialogue.
While the departure of Ben-Gvir from the government is a significant event, it does not appear to pose an immediate threat to Netanyahu’s leadership. However, the resignation raises important questions about the future direction of Israel’s far-right politics and its approach to resolving the ongoing conflict with Gaza.