Minister Chikli: 'This is a joke, not a deal'

Speaking at the B'Sheva Conference in New York City over the weekend, Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli sharply criticized the deal with Hamas presented by US President Joe Biden.

"The current deal proposes a six-week war pause without knowing the condition of the hostages. This is a joke, not a deal."

"We must bring back the hostages — it is our moral duty as the Jewish people — but we must also look to the future of our children. Certain conditions are unacceptable. Ending the war while Hamas is still in power, militarily and politically, is impossible," Chikli said.

The conference was attended by Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations Gilad Erdan and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.