Cabinet Minutes Reveal Sharp Demands Before U.S.-Iran Agreement Announcement

Israeli coalition and opposition figures reacted sharply after reports that the United States reached an understanding with Iran without Israel’s involvement, while officials in Jerusalem tried to soften the political damage. The article, based on quotes from a recent security cabinet meeting obtained by N12, says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to the room after interrupting the session and told ministers that Donald Trump would soon announce a memorandum of understanding with Iran.

Before that announcement, several ministers voiced hardline views. Eli Cohen said there was no point in breaking with Trump, but that any response must create deterrence. Gila Gamliel called to “seize more territory.” Orit Strock urged Israel to impose a price tag after every Iranian attack so Tehran would understand it was not worthwhile. Miri Regev said Israel is not a client state and should stop the security “ping pong” and leave the current equation. Itamar Ben Gvir added, “In the Middle East you have to be crazy, we need a little of Mujtaba’s stubbornness.”

After the deal became clear, ministers tried to frame it more cautiously. Defense Minister Israel Katz said the IDF would remain in security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza “for an unlimited time” to protect the border and Israeli communities from jihadist elements. He also warned that if Iran attacks Israel over events in Lebanon, Israel would strike back “with full force” and show it the power gap. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the agreement was bad for Israel and the free world, but stressed that the immediate test was in Lebanon and that Israel would not allow a return to the “October 6” reality on the northern border.

The opposition blasted the government and Netanyahu. Naftali Bennett said this is not fate and claimed his camp has a clear strategic plan to topple the Iranian regime. Gadi Eisenkot said a severe failure with historic domestic and international legitimacy was becoming the sad result of a failed government. Yair Golan said Netanyahu is good for Hamas, Iran and Hezbollah, but not for Israel.