Press
Clash in the war cabinet: Benny Gantz could overtake Netanyahu. The centrist is also threatening to leave the government with his party and is issuing an ultimatum.
Tel Aviv – Political danger for Israel’s head of state Benjamin Netanyahu could come from within his own ranks: Many see former Defense Minister Benny Gantz as a possible successor, as the Arab news portal Al-Jazeera reported.
While Netanyahu is losing popularity, the centralist is seen by many Israelis as the voice of reason. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government includes right-wing extremists such as Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich – a contrast to the left-leaning Gantz. One camp accuses Netanyahu of instigating the attack of the Hamas on October 7, the other camp is of the opinion that the head of state was in Gaza not gone far enough. Internationally, the head of state lost his chance, among other things, with Joe Biden.
Israelis demand Gantz to lead
In recent months, there have been repeated calls in Israel for Gantz to replace Netanyahu so that the hostages captured by armed Palestinian groups can be released. The prime minister is accused, among other things, of failing to make important decisions or to secure a hostage deal.
Gantz has now also gone on the offensive; in his most recent speech on May 19, he called the current government “zealots” and said they were currently heading for a rock. Benny Gantz set the government six goals by June 8, including the release of hostages held by Hamas, the return of Israelis to their homes in northern Israel and the acquisition of security control over the Gaza Strip. Otherwise, he and his party will leave the war cabinet.
Gantz wants to demilitarize Gaza Strip
Actually, Gantz was in the opposition with his party anyway. After the Hamas attack, however, Gantz joined a national unity government. There, the centrist advocated the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, but his right-wing coalition partners see things differently.
They want more Jewish settlements, while Gantz wants to set up an international administration for civil affairs. The current Minister of Defense, Joaw Galant, also a member of the War Cabinet, announced his resignation if more settlements are created and the Gaza Strip is occupied.
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