breaking news
In Israel, Minister Gantz is leaving the emergency government. Three weeks ago, he gave Prime Minister Netanyahu an ultimatum and threatened to resign from the war cabinet unless he presented a new plan for the Gaza war.
Due to differences of opinion over the future of the Gaza Strip, Minister Benny Gantz is leaving the emergency government formed in Israel after the Hamas terror attack on October 7. Gantz announced his decision to journalists in the evening.
The 65-year-old former defense minister had already threatened to take this step if the government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not develop a plan for a post-war order in the Gaza Strip. He also reiterated his demand for new elections.
Gantz was previously a minister without portfolio, but a member of the important war cabinet. The ultimatum he gave Netanyahu a few weeks ago expired on Saturday. However, due to the dramatic release of four hostages from the Gaza Strip, he postponed a planned press conference at the last minute.
Departure does not topple government
According to Gantz, the exit from the government also affects other members of his National Union party. He will not topple Israel’s leadership with this step, because Netanyahu’s right-wing religious cabinet still has a majority of 64 of 120 seats in parliament even without Gantz’s party.
However, Gantz’s departure makes Netanyahu even more dependent on his allies, some of whom are right-wing extremists. They take a hard line in negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of hostages and believe that Israel should occupy the Gaza Strip and rebuild Jewish settlements there.
Joining the government after Hamas massacre
Former general Gantz joined Netanyahu’s government as a minister without portfolio after the unprecedented attack by Hamas and other terrorist groups on October 7 to send a signal of unity. The centrist National Union party led by Gantz is in the opposition.
Netanyahu also formed a war cabinet with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Gantz and two non-voting members. The influence of Netanyahu’s ultra-right coalition members in deciding the most important war decisions was thus limited. Gantz’s move could reportedly lead to the dissolution of the war cabinet.
Netanyahu has not yet presented a plan for managing and rebuilding the Gaza Strip after the war ends.