On Tuesday, Benny Gantz, a well-known Israeli politician recognized for his centrist political stance, stepped down from Israel’s war cabinet after Itamar Ben-Gvir, a controversial ultranationalist, demanded his position.
During a press conference that was broadcasted on social media, Gantz announced his resignation and criticized the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. As a member of the war cabinet for eight months, Gantz made his decision to step down known.
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Gantz urged Israeli citizens who are currently serving in the military to stay dedicated to ensuring the safety and protection of their country.
Gantz stated that over 1,000 families have paid the ultimate price and several soldiers have been wounded on the battlefield during this war.
The significance of Gantz’s resignation from Israel’s war cabinet lies in the fact that it further exacerbates the political rift within Netanyahu’s administration, which is already under immense strain due to conflicting opinions on the Gaza conflict.
Despite having a 64-member majority in the Knesset, Netanyahu’s coalition government is expected to face instability due to Gantz’s departure. This could result in increased power for far-right politicians, such as Ben-Gvir.
Gantz, who identifies as a centrist, is advocating for a more calculated strategy compared to his counterparts. He has proposed a six-point blueprint for Gaza, which prioritizes putting an end to Hamas’ governance and creating an international administration for the Palestinian region. However, he reassures that Israel has the capability to defeat any adversary.
“We are leaving the emergency government today with a heavy heart because Netanyahu is impeding our progress towards achieving a real victory,” lamented Gantz. He further added that he would be willing to join a national unity government that incorporates all centrist parties.”
Ben-Gvir emphasized the need for bold decisions to be made in order to ensure the safety and security of residents in the southern and northern parts of Israel, as well as the country as a whole.
On Sunday, the war in Gaza saw its first military commander, Avi Rosenfeld, resign.
In April, the chief of the Military Intelligence Directorate announced his resignation, making him the first senior officer to step down. Following suit, a second senior officer has also resigned recently.
