Accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of preventing Israel from achieving “true victory” in its war against Hamas, National Unity chairman Benny Gantz announced his party’s withdrawal from the government on Sunday evening.
This move comes weeks after Gantz conditioned his continued support on the prime minister’s acceptance of an agreed-upon vision for the Gaza conflict by June 8, according to The Times of Israel.
“After October 7, just like hundreds of thousands of patriotic Israelis, my colleagues and I mobilized as well,” Gantz said, explaining why his party joined the coalition despite recognizing it was a “bad government.” Gantz, one of three voting members of Netanyahu’s war cabinet, emphasized the need for unity in the wake of the Hamas-led attack, which killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostages into the Gaza Strip, sparking the ongoing war.
“We did it because we knew it was a bad government. The people of Israel, the fighters, the commanders, the families of the murdered, the casualties, and the hostages needed unity and support like they needed air to breathe,” Gantz explained.
However, Gantz alleged that Netanyahu’s calls for unity concealed a reality where “fateful strategic decisions are met with hesitation and procrastination due to [narrow] political considerations,” suggesting that the prime minister prioritizes appeasing his far-right coalition partners. Quitting the coalition was “a complex and agonizing decision,” Gantz said, but one made “for the good of the State of Israel.”
Gantz claimed that Netanyahu prevented progress towards a real victory, leading to the decision to leave the emergency government “with a heavy heart but wholeheartedly.”
As Gantz announced his decision, Netanyahu urged him to reconsider, stating on X, “Israel is in an existential war on multiple fronts. Benny, this is not the time to abandon the campaign — this is the time to join forces.” Netanyahu promised to continue the fight until achieving victory, releasing hostages, and eliminating Hamas. He assured that his “door will remain open to any Zionist party willing to shoulder the burden and help attain victory over our enemies and ensure the safety of our citizens.”
Despite Netanyahu’s appeal, Gantz and fellow National Unity ministers Gadi Eisenkot and Chili Tropper submitted their resignation letters.
In his resignation letter, Eisenkot criticized the war cabinet’s handling of the war, stating, “Despite the efforts of many, alongside those of my colleague, the cabinet you headed was prevented for a long while from making key decisions, which were needed to realize the war’s goals and improve Israel’s strategic position.” He added that “outside considerations and politics infiltrated the discussions,” leading to their decision to leave the government.
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