Jerusalem, Jun 9 (EFE). – Former general and Minister of the War Cabinet, Benny Gantz, announced Sunday his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s emergency government.
Israeli War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz holds a press conference in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, Israel, 09 June 2024. Gantz announced his resignation from Israel’s emergency government. EFE/EPA/ABIR SULTAN
“Netanyahu is preventing us from advancing toward true victory. That is why we are leaving the emergency government today, with a heavy heart but with full confidence,” Gantz said at a press conference.
He also called for early elections, saying, “there should be elections that will eventually establish a government that will win the trust of the people and be able to face challenges.”
Gantz’s announcement was expected on Saturday but was postponed after the rescue operation of four hostages in a bombing raid that killed more than 270 Gazans.
His departure carries more symbolic than practical weight, as Netanyahu’s coalition retains its 64-seat majority in the Knesset (Israeli parliament).
However, Gantz’s decision puts more pressure on the prime minister, as he is one of Israel’s most respected political figures, even leading in various election polls ahead of Netanyahu.
With Gantz gone, Netanyahu would lose the backing of a centrist bloc that has helped broaden for the government in Israel and abroad at a time of mounting diplomatic and domestic pressure
About two weeks ago, Gantz had set June 8 as a deadline for his party to leave the war cabinet if the government did not agree on a “comprehensive action plan” for the return of the hostages, the overthrow of Hamas, the establishment of an alternative government, the return of residents along the northern border and the normalization of relations.
Netanyahu responded to Gantz in a social media post, claiming it was not time to abandon the battlefront.
Meanwhile, Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir published a letter to Netanyahu after Gantz’s resignation, demanding to the war cabinet.
Ben-Gvir’s far-right party also announced Sunday that “in light of what appears to be the rejection by Hamas of the reckless deal and the expected departure of Gantz from the government, Otzma Yehudit will continue to vote with the coalition as usual as long as there is no reckless deal on the table.”
“We call for keeping increased military pressure [on Hamas], which has been proven once again to be the only effective tool to return our hostages without capitulation,” he added.
Gantz, who was the most significant opposition figure before Oct. 7, was the only leader to agree to Netanyahu’s request to form a national unity government in times of war, winning a seat in the war cabinet that also includes Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Netanyahu. EFE
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