Ben Gvir Says Israel Must Be Willing to Tell Trump No

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sharply criticized the ceasefire in Lebanon in a Monday morning interview with Sharon Gal on Galey Israel, arguing that stopping the fighting and limiting IDF operations in the north could let Hezbollah rebuild and grow stronger. He warned that the pause could help the group prepare for “another 7.10,” referring to October 7.

Ben Gvir said his objection to American pressure was not new and that he raises such concerns privately as well. “Israel is not anyone’s punching bag,” he said. “We appreciate President Trump, we love him, but we also need to know how to say to him, no.” He added that his red line is when Israeli soldiers are falling and civilians are under attack, saying the situation cannot continue like this.

The minister said that while he loves Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “sometimes he is wrong,” and insisted Israel cannot stop firing in Lebanon. He also said, “Let a thousand Lebanese mothers cry and not one Israeli mother.” Ben Gvir recounted a remark he said was once made to him by Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, who asked why Ben Gvir is the only minister who says publicly what he says privately.

In a direct message to Washington, Ben Gvir said he is accountable to Israeli fighters and their families, not to the U.S. president, whom he described as a “true partner and true friend.” He also responded to recent criticism from U.S. Vice President JD Vance, saying that throughout Israel’s history there were times when the United States said it would not supply weapons, and that if Israel had listened, the state would not have been established, nor would the Six Day War or the Yom Kippur War have happened. He concluded that Israel must remain sovereign and tell Trump that it cannot keep a ceasefire in Lebanon.