Israeli centrist minister Gantz quits Netanyahu government
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STORY: Israeli minister Benny Gantz quit his country's emergency coalition government on Sunday... leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu without a centrist power in his government. In a televised news conference, Gantz said Netanyahu is (quote) "preventing us from advancing toward true victory," and that politics was clouding fateful strategic decisions in his cabinet. He added that stepping down while hostages were still in Gaza and soldiers were still fighting there was an excruciating decision. A former general, Gantz had joined Netanyahu's inner war cabinet soon after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas, where he, the prime minister and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant were the only voting members. "I was very privileged together with my friends to bring to the Cabinet Room all the experience we have. I know that the other people are staying mainly Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister himself. They know what should be done. Hopefully they will stick to what should be done and then it will be okay." Gantz last month had presented Netanyahu with a June 8 deadline to come up with a clear postwar strategy for Gaza. Netanyahu brushed off the ultimatum soon after it was given. While the departure of Gantz's centrist party will not pose an immediate threat to Israel's government, it could have a serious impact. It leaves Netanyahu reliant on hardliners, with no end in sight to the Gaza war and a possible escalation in fighting with Lebanese Hezbollah. This would likely increase strains already apparent in relations with the U.S. and intensify public pressure at home, with the war still not achieving its stated goals - the destruction of Hamas and the return of more than 100 remaining hostages held in Gaza. After announcing his resignation, Gantz urged Netanyahu to agree on an election date in the fall, to avoid further political infighting at a time of national emergency. Polls have shown Gantz to be the most formidable political rival to the prime minister. Netanyahu responded to Gantz's resignation in a social media post, telling him it was no time to abandon the battlefront.
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