Minister of Homefront Defense Gilad Erdan has released a statement to the media that he objects to the ceasefire. Erdan questions the prime minister’s judgment, accepting the plan without bringing it to a vote, not even the members of the Security Cabinet, yet alone the entire cabinet. He admits however that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is not legally compelled to have ministers vote on the ceasefire decision.

It should be pointed out that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu checked his legal authority and after learning that he does not require a ministerial vote, he proceeded without their agreement.

Earlier, Ministers Avigdor Lieberman, Naftali Bennett and Yitzchak Aharonovich expressed their objections to the ceasefire. Minister Uri Ariel told Channel 2 News that “all cabinet ministers bear ministerial responsibility for the decision and we must first learn the details of the agreement and we will then decide how to respond”.

When asked if the ceasefire would have received a majority among cabinet ministers, Ariel said “Let’s just say he had good reason to worry and opt to proceed without a vote”.

Meretz opposition party leader Zahava Gal-On called the prime minister’s agreement “A victory for Hamas on the backs of southern residents”.

Over 200 rockets were fired from Gaza today, making it the heaviest day of rocket fire in the 50 days of the operation.

It is clear that in addition to his waning popularity among citizens, the prime minister may not even enjoy a majority among his own cabinet members. There is no doubt that Mr. Netanyahu is facing a political crisis at home in addition to having to negotiate with the Egyptians, Hamas and the PA in an effort to reach agreement for a permanent ceasefire.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)