Ben Gvir says Israel is not bound by U.S.-Iran deal and must respond to any fire

Following the overnight announcement of an agreement between the United States and Iran, National Security Minister and cabinet member Itamar Ben Gvir said Israel is not bound by the deal and must act according to its own security needs. He said, "Trump's agreement does not bind us. Israel is obligated to protect its citizens and soldiers. Israel is not subordinate to the United States, and we are an independent and sovereign country."

Ben Gvir argued that Israel must continue operating in Lebanon and reject any compromise over the Hezbollah threat. "My position is clear: we are not partners to this agreement, which does not take our security into account, and it does not bind us in any way. We must not compromise on less than the dismantling of Hezbollah," he said. He also warned against pulling back from territory captured by Israeli fighters, saying Israel must not return to a situation where thousands of militants are stationed along northern communities' fences, and "certainly must not be silent for a moment" in the face of fire at Israel.

During the overnight cabinet meeting, other ministers also called for a forceful response to security threats. Energy Minister Eli Cohen said Israel should avoid a clash with U.S. President Donald Trump, but added that if Israel does respond, it must create deterrence. Minister Gila Gamliel supported an Israeli response and said, "It is right to respond and I back the prime minister. Let's conquer them some more territory." Minister Orit Strock told the prime minister, "Thank you for standing the test. We need to do to them a price tag that will not pay off." Transport Minister Miri Regev said Israel is not a client state and called to end the back-and-forth and change the equation.

Ben Gvir also told the prime minister during the meeting, "Be strong, prime minister, but in the Middle East you need to be the crazy person in the village. Not a balanced response and not a measured response. We need a bit of Mujebta's stubbornness. Any fire on Israel is a declaration of war against us, and we should respond without proportion."