Coalition crisis: War cabinet member Gantz threatens Netanyahu

Tensions rise in Israel’s coalition government as Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz issues ultimatum to Netanyahu, demanding return of captives and strategic shift in Gaza

As the streets of Israel filled with anti-Netenyahu protesters, tensions within the coalition government escalated after Israeli War Cabinet member, and Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz threatened Prime Minister Netanyahu.

“A strategic shift is required, not a waste of time. We need to establish an alternative national strategy,” Gantz said.

Gantz has given Netanyahu until June 8 to secure the return of Israeli captives, or face the possibility of Gantz’s party withdrawing from the government.

During a press conference, Gantz criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the Gaza attacks and demanded adherence to a pre-established plan regarding the governance of the region post-conflict.

“The time has come for decisive decisions, if you (Netanyahu) are ready to do what is necessary by prioritizing the national path over the personal one, we will proceed together. If you prefer the personal path, we will leave the government,” Gantz addressed Netanyahu.

 He called for the war cabinet to develop a comprehensive six-point plan by the June 8 deadline.

Gantz outlined several key demands, including the return of Israeli captives, the removal of the Hamas administration from Gaza to eliminate militant presence, the establishment of a joint administration involving the U.S., E.U, Arab states, and Palestinians in Gaza, the repatriation of evacuated Israelis to their northern homes, and support for normalization efforts with Saudi Arabia.

If Netanyahu fails to secure approval for the Gaza administration plan by June 8, Gantz threatened that his National Unity Party would withdraw from the government.

Netanyahu-Gantz rift deepens

This ultimatum comes amid Gantz’s expressed support for Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who has also challenged Netanyahu’s approach to Gaza’s administration.

In response to Benny Gantz’s ultimatum, Netanyahu’s office issued a firm statement, asserting that Gantz’s demands would result in what they termed as “an end to the war and defeat for Israel.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu is determined to eliminate the Hamas battalions. He opposes bringing the Palestinian Authority into Gaza, and establishing a Palestinian state that will inevitably be a terror state,” Netanyahu’s office stated.

Israel continues its aggressive campaign in Gaza. The conflict has led to devastating consequences, with nearly 35,400 Palestinians, primarily women and children, losing their lives since October 7, and over 79,300 others sustaining injuries. Gaza remains severely impacted, with widespread destruction and limited access to essential resources such as food, clean water, and medicine.

Source: Newsroom