‘A morning of joy, relief & also deep shame’: Right-wing leaders express ‘mixed feelings’ over Gaza peace agreement

Israel has already officially agreed to the American plan to end the war against Hamas in Gaza; however, its government needs to formally approve the release of prisoners for the deal in a vote on Thursday evening, and unanimous approval cannot be expected.

Leaders of the right-wing Religious Zionism and Jewish Power parties had already signaled their disapproval – but not outright rejection – of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan.

Their ministers are expected to vote against the deal on Thursday.

After the U.S. President announced that the deal had been approved by Hamas, several right-wing coalition members expressed mixed feelings about the deal, particularly the release of thousands of Palestinians and the tacit recognition of a Palestinian state.

Notably, the usually very vocal National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir had not publicly commented on the agreement at the time of publication.

Last Saturday, he had warned that “if, after the release of all the hostages, the terrorist organization Hamas remains in existence, Otzma Yehudit will no longer be part of the government.”

His only slightly less controversial colleague, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, wrote on 𝕏 that Thursday was a complex morning of “mixed emotions.”

“There is immense joy at the return of all our kidnapped brothers! At the privilege of being among the leaders who opposed partial deals that would have left at least half of them to rot … and at the demand to continue the war until all its objectives are fully achieved.”

However, the chairman of Religious Zionism also stressed his “tremendous concern over the consequences of emptying the prisons and releasing the next generation of terrorist leadership... For that reason alone, we cannot join in short-sighted celebrations or vote in favor of the deal.”

Smotrich said he felt a responsibility to ensure that after the hostages return, “Israel continues to pursue, with full force, the true eradication of Hamas and the real demilitarization of Gaza, so that it no longer poses a threat to Israel.”

“Thanks to the Creator of the World and His many messengers – and a trembling prayer for continued salvation, comfort, and victories,” he wrote.

However, his party colleague and security cabinet member, Orit Strock, found even harsher words calling it a morning “of deep shame” alongside “joy, gratitude, and relief.”

“Shame over the normalization of releasing terrorists in exchange for hostages, and preemptive shame for all the future victims of this bloody approach,” she explained, “Shame over the very mention of a Palestinian state in the agreement… over the normalization of an Oslo-style approach that hands our security to foreign hands.”

Possibly hinting at future steps, she said there is “a deep internal struggle over whether it is right and permissible to be part of a government that accepts an agreement whose founding principles include all of these disgraceful elements.”

However, a source in Religious Zionism told Israel Hayom, “Right now, what’s on the table is a plan that aligns with the three main goals of the war. For us as a faction, it’s easiest – because we haven’t moved from what we said on day one: eyes on the ball. There are objectives to this war. Maybe there are things we would have liked to see, like settlement in Gaza – and we believe in that – but those are not part of the war’s official goals.”

A source in the Jewish Power Party told the outlet, “Minister Ben Gvir was very clear: if Hamas is not defeated, we will not be part of the government. The goals of the war remain – to defeat Hamas and bring back the hostages. You don’t do half a job. All the hostages must be returned, without partial deals. As a faction, we will vote against the release of terrorists, but we will not leave the government.”

Netanyahu still holds a razor-thin majority in the Knesset, after the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism Party quit the coalition in July.

Smotrich’s colleague, Knesset Member Simcha Rothman, who was one of the central figures in the Judicial Reform debate, stated that while “now is the time to laugh and to dance with the hope for the swift release of all the hostages,” there is also “much to weep over.”

Another Religious Zionism MK, Ohad Tal, wrote on 𝕏: “‘To proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners.’ Great thanks to the Holy One, blessed be He, and to all His emissaries, and joy with the families who will finally be reunited with their loved ones."

Tal added: "We must not turn a blind eye to the serious problems in the agreement. It is our duty to ensure that Hamas is indeed dismantled, that Gaza no longer poses a threat to the State of Israel, and so we shall do.”