On Sunday evening, Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, prominent members of Israel's War Council, announced their withdrawal from the emergency government led by Benjamin Netanyahu. This move underscores the increasing tensions and calls for early elections in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Gantz and Eisenkot, part of the State Camp party, accused Netanyahu of prioritizing his political interests over the nation's needs and failing to achieve critical objectives such as the elimination of Hamas and the return of Israeli prisoners.
Gantz, a former chief of staff and a key contender to form the next government, expressed his frustration, stating that Netanyahu's political considerations are obstructing strategic decisions in the Gaza conflict. With heavy hearts, both leaders emphasized the necessity of setting a date for early elections. Netanyahu, however, remains steadfast in his position, arguing that early elections would disrupt the state and hinder prisoner exchange negotiations.
Eisenkot, another former chief of staff, echoed Gantz's sentiments in his resignation letter, criticizing the government's lack of decisive actions needed to accomplish the war goals. Despite the withdrawal of the State Camp party from the emergency government, Netanyahu's administration, supported by 64 deputies, retains the confidence of over half the Knesset, allowing it to continue governing.
The withdrawal presents an opportunity for far-right parties, such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's Jewish Power and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism, who have long been dissatisfied with their exclusion from war decision-making. These parties have been vocal about their support for the continuation of the war and have called for either joining the war government or dissolving it.
The tension is further heightened by the ongoing opposition mobilization against Netanyahu, led by figures like Yair Lapid of the Yesh Atid Party and Avigdor Lieberman of Israel Our Home. The opposition sees Gantz and Eisenkot's resignation as a crucial step towards toppling Netanyahu's government and pushing for early elections. They argue that a new coalition is needed to restore security, return hostages, and improve Israel's international standing.
- In recent developments, Netanyahu urged Gantz not to resign from the emergency government, highlighting the release of four hostages by the Israeli army as a sign of progress. Nevertheless, Gantz remained firm in his decision, insisting on the need for a comprehensive post-war strategy for Gaza, which Netanyahu's government has yet to provide.
- Ben Gvir quickly seized the opportunity to propose his inclusion in the war council, emphasizing the need for courageous decisions to ensure security along Gaza's borders. Meanwhile, internal criticism within Netanyahu's circle suggests that Gantz and Eisenkot's withdrawal might compel Netanyahu to consider dissolving the war cabinet.
