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If the Israeli Leadership Splits —
Then What?
Israeli minister Benny Gantz announced this past weekend his party’s withdrawal from the emergency government formed after the October attack on Israel by Hamas.
Gantz had brought together a coalition to form an emergency war cabinet at a time of crisis. That does his departure mean for the Israeli government?
Gantz is seen as a centrist. His popularity with the Jewish citizens has grown since the October 7th Hamas attack. He has pushed Netanyahu for action. He wanted Netanyahu to endorse a plan to return hostages, end Hamas’ rule. He wants to demilitarize the Gaza Strip. To establish an international administration of civilian affairs in Gaza, normalize relations with Saudi Arabia. He would like to widen military service to all Israelis.
Gantz will likely now play a role as opposition leader to Netanyahu and could at some point challenge him for Prime Minister. He controls a coalition of 64 of 120 seats in parliment.
Netanyahu’s relationship with the Biden Administration has continued to decline. On the other hand Gantz is widely respected in Washington, and will likely embolden and empower Israel’s ultranationalist ministers who have opposed all cease-fire deals. Int was only within the past couple of weeks that Gantz was making rounds in Washington.
