Jerusalem: Israeli minister Benny Gantz has announced his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s emergency government, removing the only centrist influence from the embattled leader’s far-right coalition amid ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Gantz’s departure, while not an immediate threat to the government, could have significant consequences. Netanyahu now finds himself reliant on hardliners, with the Gaza conflict showing no signs of resolution and potential escalations in tensions with Lebanese Hezbollah looming.
Last month, Gantz set a deadline of June 8 for Netanyahu to devise a clear strategy for Gaza, where Israel has been engaged in a military offensive against Hamas. Netanyahu dismissed the ultimatum.
In a televised address on Sunday, Gantz lamented the politicization of crucial strategic decisions within Netanyahu’s cabinet. He described the decision to resign while hostages remain in Gaza and soldiers are still fighting there as agonizing.
“Netanyahu is preventing us from advancing toward true victory,” Gantz declared. “That is why we are leaving the emergency government today, with a heavy heart but with full confidence.”
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Netanyahu responded via social media, urging Gantz not to abandon the battlefront during this critical time.
With Gantz’s departure, Netanyahu loses the support of a centrist bloc that has bolstered the government’s standing both domestically and internationally during the Gaza conflict.
While Netanyahu’s coalition retains control of a majority in parliament, it now leans more heavily on ultra-nationalist parties for political backing. These parties have already strained relations with Washington and advocate for a full Israeli occupation of Gaza.
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Gantz, a former army commander and defense minister, has emerged as Netanyahu’s most formidable political rival. He warns of a protracted conflict in Gaza and calls for elections in the autumn to avoid further political turmoil during this national emergency.
Gantz’s resignation leaves Defence Minister Yoav Gallant as one of the few remaining voices in Netanyahu’s inner war cabinet. Gallant, whom Gantz described as a courageous leader, now faces increased pressure to navigate the challenges ahead.
As far-right figures vie for Gantz’s vacant seat in the war cabinet, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich accuses Gantz of playing into the hands of Israel’s enemies.
When questioned about the impact of his resignation on Israel’s international reputation, Gantz expresses confidence in Gallant and Netanyahu’s ability to uphold national interests.
