Mid-Eastern region - Benny Gantz exits the Israeli administration.
Because of disagreements regarding the future of Gaza, Minister Benny Gantz exits the emergency government established in Israel after the Hamas terror attack on October 7. Gantz conveyed this news to reporters in the evening. This was his plan if no arrangement for a post-war order in Gaza was implemented by Netanyahu's administration.
Gantz's ultimatum regarding this matter ended on Saturday. However, he apprehended a scheduled press conference at the last second due to the thrilling rescue of four hostages from Gaza. The departure from Netanyahu's government also affects other members of Gantz's party, the National Union, according to Gantz.
Netanyahu's cabinet still has a majority in parliament.
Netanyahu's leadership will not be jeopardized due to this move. Netanyahu's right-religious government possesses a majority of 64 out of 120 seats in parliament without Gantz's party. Gantz had joined Netanyahu's administration without a role after the explosive attack by Hamas and other terrorist bands on October 7 to signify unity. In fact, Gantz's-led center party, National Union, is in the opposition.
Netanyahu also created a war cabinet with Defense Minister Joav Galant, Gantz, and two non-voting deputies. Netanyahu's right-wing coalition partners' influence over crucial war decisions was thus minimized. Gantz's action may result in the disintegration of the war cabinet.
Netanyahu pleaded with Gantz not to leave on Saturday evening. "Do not leave the emergency government. Do not discard unity," he urged Gantz on the platform X. "This is a time for unity and not for division. We must remain united in the face of the substantial tasks before us."
The United States also desired Gantz's continued presence in the government. Without Gantz's support, Netanyahu might be even more aggressive in accommodating the requests of right-wing partners who advocate an extreme approach against Hamas in Gaza. The paper proceeded to speculate that Israel's leadership could lose international support quicker. Gantz gave a somewhat moderate image to the most conservative government in Israel's history as a "responsible adult."
As per several reports, the United States is pushing for Gantz to remain in the government during negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages with Hamas. Since Netanyahu's right-wing coalition partners are against a peace accord, Gantz's presence in the emergency government is crucial for the successful outcome of an agreement.
Sharp criticism of Israel's government by Gantz
Former Chief of Staff Gantz has targeted critical government decisions, saying that crucial decisions for securing victory in Gaza had not been made. "A tiny majority has captured the control bridge of the Israeli ship of state and is taking it towards the rocks," said Gantz, referring to Netanyahu's right-wing alliance partners.
Gantz emphasized the institution of an American-European-Arab-Palestinian government alternative in the Gaza Strip. This could not be Hamas or Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, he said. The United States, on the other hand, is hoping for the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank, which is administered by Abbas, in the post-war period. The PA is slated for restructuring and then assumed command in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu opposes this. The Hamas violently evicted the PA from the Gaza Strip in 2007.
Even the army has complained lately that soldiers are compelled to return to locations in the Gaza Strip from which the military had previously withdrawn.
Netanyahu has persistently refused to present a design for administration and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip after the war's conclusion, possibly to avoid infuriating his ultra-conservative coalition partners. These advocate aims such as highly disputable Israeli settlement building in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu's political survival hinges on them.
Speculations persist that the reason for Gantz's return to the opposition could be his plunging popularity. For months, his party had led polls over Netanyahu's Likud party. Nonetheless, according to some surveys, for the first time since the commencement of the conflict about eight months ago, a narrow majority now backs Netanyahu over Gantz as Prime Minister. Moreover, the lead of his party over Netanyahu's has reduced lately.
Read also:
- Benny Gantz, the Former Minister of Defense, voiced his disagreement with Benjamin Netanyahu's approach towards the Gaza Strip, leading to his exit from the Israeli administration.
- Gantz's departure from the government also impacts other members of his party, the National Union, as they share his views on the future of Gaza.
- The United States expressed concern over Gantz's exit, fearing that it could make Netanyahu's leadership more aggressive towards Hamas in Gaza.
- Joav Galant, the Defense Minister, is a key member of Netanyahu's war cabinet, and Gantz's departure could potentially disrupt this cabinet's operations.
- Gantz criticized the Israeli government's handling of crucial decisions related to the Gaza conflicts, stating that they were not ensuring victory.
- The United States is urging Gantz to remain in the government during negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, as his presence is crucial for a peaceful resolution.
- Netanyahu's government has faced criticism for avoiding a plan for the administration and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip after the war's conclusion.
- Recent reports suggest that Gantz's return to the opposition could be due to his dwindling popularity, as voter support for him and his party has decreased in recent surveys.
