The Resignation of Benny Gantz: A Blow to Netanyahu’s Government
The political landscape in Israel took a dramatic turn on Sunday as Benny Gantz, a key member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet, announced his resignation. Gantz, a former Israeli general and defense minister, cited Netanyahu’s failure to approve a post-war plan for Gaza as the reason for his departure. This move has put additional pressure on Netanyahu as the conflict in Gaza continues to escalate.
Gantz’s resignation is not expected to bring down the government, which is a coalition of religious and ultra-nationalist parties. However, it does mark the first significant political blow to Netanyahu since the conflict with Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza began eight months ago. In a statement, Gantz expressed his frustration with Netanyahu, stating that the Prime Minister was hindering progress towards a real victory in the conflict.
Netanyahu quickly responded to Gantz’s resignation, urging him not to abandon the battle but to join forces instead. The Israeli premier had previously urged Gantz to reconsider his decision following the successful rescue of four hostages from Gaza by Israeli forces. Gantz, who turned 65 on the day of his resignation, has been seen as a potential candidate to form a coalition in the event of early elections.
The departure of Gantz from the war cabinet leaves Netanyahu with a more right-leaning government, as Gantz was considered the only moderate element in the coalition. Political analyst Mairav Zonszein noted that Netanyahu will now be left with far-right ministers, and it remains to be seen how this shift will impact the government’s decisions moving forward.
One of the far-right ministers, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, wasted no time in expressing his desire to join the war cabinet in place of Gantz. Additionally, Netanyahu is facing pressure from his coalition allies who oppose any potential deal for the release of hostages outlined by US President Joe Biden. These allies have insisted that the government should continue its military campaign in Gaza until the goal of destroying Hamas is achieved.
The conflict in Gaza was sparked by an attack by Hamas on October 7, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. According to an AFP tally based on official figures, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 1,000 people, mostly civilians. The retaliatory military offensive by Israel has also resulted in a high number of casualties, further escalating tensions in the region.
As Israel grapples with internal political challenges and ongoing conflict in Gaza, the resignation of Benny Gantz has added another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation. The future of Netanyahu’s government remains uncertain as it navigates through these turbulent times.