Israel's security cabinet holds tense meeting after Ben Gvir tweet: report

Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth leaked comments from last night's security cabinet meeting, in which ministers reportedly discussed far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's "Hamas loves Biden" post on X.

The meeting was scheduled to discuss Israel's response to US President Joe Biden's decision to withhold arms shipments should an large-scale invasion of Rafah take place.

Ben Gvir defended his post, saying that he was "gentle, relative to what most Israelis think".

"We need to talk to the Americans with respect — but make it clear that if there are sanctions on us then there will be less humanitarian aid" to Palestinians in Gaza, he was quoted saying.

"To speak with respect like your tweet?" Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reportedly responded.

The report said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu burst out laughing when Science and Technology Minister Gila Gamliel said "He’s a romantic — he even added a heart emoji".

Ben Gvir apparently doubled down and said, "Such tweets will multiply".

"I expect all ministers to join me. There is support for what I said not only by [Republican presidential candidate Donald] Trump, who made very important comments, but also by some Democrats."

War cabinet minister Gabi Einsenkot then told Ben Gvir to remain respectful towards Biden.