In the near future, this resignation should not have any effects on the government coalition led by the Prime Minister. With the support of far-right groups, Benjamin Netanyahu still holds a majority in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset.
Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, announced on Sunday, June 9, his resignation from the government, after giving his rival an ultimatum on the post-war situation in Gaza.
“(Benjamin) Netanyahu is preventing us from moving towards a real victory, that’s why today we are leaving the extraordinary government with a heavy heart, but without regret,” said this opponent of Benjamin Netanyahu during a solemn speech on television, calling on the head of the government to organize early elections.
The Prime Minister responded very quickly on the social network,” Benjamin Netanyahu urged.
Ultimatum
In the near future, this resignation should not have any effects on the government coalition led by the Prime Minister. With the support of far-right groups, Benjamin Netanyahu still holds a majority in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset.
A minister without portfolio as part of an expanded government following the October 7 Hamas attack that sparked the ongoing war in Gaza, Benny Gantz, leader of the National Union Party (center), launched an ultimatum to Benjamin Netanyahu on May 18.
He requested that the war cabinet adopt an “action plan” on the issue of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, otherwise he will be “forced to resign from the government.”
“That is also my responsibility”
Shortly after this announcement, far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir asked to join the wartime government. Benny Gantz said a few days ago that the return of the hostages in Gaza is a “priority”. Benny Gantz’s press conference, scheduled for Saturday night, was canceled after the announcement the release of the four hostages Israelis during a military operation in the center of the Gaza Strip.
At least 274 people were killed in this operation, according to the Ministry of Health of the government of this Palestinian territory, which is led by Hamas.
“There are still many hostages that we haven’t been able to bring home. That’s also my responsibility,” Benny Gantz lamented during his televised statement Sunday night.
This former head of the Israeli army is the favorite to form a coalition in the event of the fall of Netanyahu’s government and early elections.