Lapid Offers Political ‘Safety Net’ for Netanyahu Ahead of Trump Meeting
Ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid has reiterated his offer to provide Netanyahu with a political “safety net” to ensure the success of the upcoming stages of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal. Speaking at Kibbutz Nir Oz along the Gaza border, Lapid emphasized the importance of reassuring the American administration that Netanyahu’s government is secure.
“Tomorrow, a meeting will be held in Washington between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. It is important to clarify before this meeting: Netanyahu has a safety net from the opposition for the entire hostage deal, in all its stages,” Lapid said. He stressed that the deal has overwhelming support both among the public and within the Knesset. “There is no political obstacle that prevents Netanyahu from reaching the second phase of the deal. It has a huge majority among the people, it has a huge majority here in the Knesset and in the political system in Israel,” he added, assuring that the agreement would not jeopardize the government.
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Lapid also credited Trump for his pivotal role in the negotiations. “Without President Trump and his commitment to the issue, it is very doubtful whether we would have seen the men and women who returned home in the last two weeks alive,” he noted, affirming trust in Trump’s promise to see the deal through until all hostages are secured.
Despite this show of unity, the coalition remains divided. Former national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party has already withdrawn from the government over its opposition to the deal, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has threatened to pull his Religious Zionism party out if Israel does not resume fighting Hamas after the 42-day first phase of the ceasefire.
