Netanyahu: Ben Gabir leaked state secrets; Ben Gabir: Polygraph test for all cabinet members, including the prime minister

Tensions between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gabir: Likud published an unusual announcement today (Wednesday), in which it is implied that Ben Gabir is leaking closed conversations and classified discussions in the political-security cabinet. In a statement, Likud referred to Ben Gabir’s demand to join the limited cabinet: “Prime Minister Netanyahu told Minister Ben Gabir a simple thing – whoever wants to be a partner in a limited security consultation team must prove that he does not leak state secrets or private conversations.”

Ben Gabir’s party Otzma Yehudit responded with its own announcement: “Otzma Yehudit supports the polygraph law for cabinet members and calls on the prime minister to promote it quickly, provided that it also applies to those with a pacemaker. Otzma Yehudit calls for an investigation into how materials were leaked from the small cabinet.”

The tension between the two began yesterday in the discussions on the rabbinical law. Netanyahu was furious that Ben Gvir refused to rely on the Prime Minister’s abstention from passing the law, and perceived the move as an attempt to squeeze commitments on other issues, such as his inclusion in the reduced cabinet.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of Religious Zionism: “My friends and partners in the government and the coalition. stop! The State of Israel is at war. We must neutralize the petty political emotions. Let’s fight together against the enemies of the State of Israel. God forbid not against each other. Without insults, with respect and partnership. The people of Israel are looking at us, our heroic fighters are looking at us, and in contrast, our enemies are looking at us. This is what the citizens of Israel demand from us. It is what is expected of us. Only together will we win.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid: “I read what Bibi said about Ben Gabir, and what Ben Gabir said about Bibi, and I agree with both.”