Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced off against rebellious Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and National Unity leader Benny Gantz amid escalating tensions within the government. As disagreements over military strategy and political maneuvers come to a head, the power struggle within the cabinet has become increasingly visible.
On May 18th, Minister-without-portfolio Benny Gantz set a deadline of June 8 for Netanyahu to agree to a comprehensive strategic plan for Gaza post-Hamas. “Lately, something has gone wrong,” Gantz said. “Essential decisions were not made. Essential leadership decisions to ensure victory were not done. A small minority has taken over the command bridge of the Israeli ship of state and is steering her toward the rocks.” Gantz criticized Netanyahu’s right-wing partners, warning that personal and political considerations had infiltrated Israeli security.
Gantz outlined six demands Netanyahu must adopt or face his withdrawal from the government:
- Return the hostages.
- Demolish Hamas and demilitarize the Gaza Strip.
- Provide a non-Hamas, non-Abbas governing alternative in Gaza.
- Rehabilitate the western Negev and return northern residents by September 1.
- Promote normalization with Saudi Arabia.
- Adopt a standardized national service for all Israelis.
“If you choose to lead the nation to the abyss, we will withdraw from the government, turn to the people, and form a government that can bring about a real victory,” Gantz declared (Wikipedia).
Netanyahu responded firmly, dismissing Gantz’s ultimatum. “While our heroic soldiers are fighting to destroy Hamas’s battalions in Rafah, Gantz chooses to set an ultimatum for the prime minister instead of setting an ultimatum for Hamas,” read a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. The statement accused Gantz of advocating an end to the war, leaving Hamas standing, and forming a Palestinian state, all of which Netanyahu vehemently opposes.
The Prime Minister’s Office issued a pointed response to Gantz’s ultimatum, posing three critical questions:
- Does Gantz want to finish the operation in Rafah, and if so, how is he threatening to bring down the emergency government in the middle of the operation?
- Does Gantz oppose civilian rule by the PA in Gaza, even without Abbas?
- Is Gantz willing to accept a Palestinian state in the West Bank as part of a normalization process with Saudi Arabia?
The PMO emphasized that Netanyahu was determined to destroy Hamas in Rafah, opposed any involvement of the PA in Gaza, and opposed a Palestinian state that would “definitely be a terror state.” “Prime Minister Netanyahu thinks that the emergency government is important to achieving all of the war’s goals, including returning all of Israel’s hostages, and expects Gantz to clarify his positions to the public on these issues,” the PMO concluded.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who has also been critical of Netanyahu’s indecision, particularly on who will govern Gaza after Hamas is defeated, echoed Gantz’s concerns. Gallant had previously called for a more aggressive military approach, stating, “decisive action is necessary to safeguard our nation.”
Other political leaders were quick to weigh in. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized Gantz, accusing him of subversion and being the last person to propose security alternatives. Former ally Gideon Sa’ar, who quit the government last month, also lambasted Gantz for his sudden change in stance.”
As the situation evolves, the Israeli public and international observers watch closely, understanding that the decisions made in these critical meetings will shape the future of the region, with the lives of soldiers and hostages immediately at stake. The internal dynamics of the war cabinet continue to be a subject of scrutiny, with analysts predicting imminent further confrontations. Whether Netanyahu can maintain unity and steer Israel to a secure resolution remains to be seen.
Who should govern in Gaza after Hamas is gone is a tricky question, but 1 that MUST be answered, because “nature hates a vacuum” and you can bet money and take it to the bank, if a governing agency is NOT in place, soon, SATAN, via the MB will move in again, and it will be Hamas redux, on steroids! This MUST NOT be ignored or delayed. That said, whatever gov’t is set up, Israel must have some say, and it must not be any Muslim agency, or sympathizer! I realize that is a tall order, but if it is a Muslim agency or sympathizer, that’s just a slightly slower route back to 7 October 2023! An all Israel gov’t won’t work either, but Israel must control security over the territory, ’til they learn, however long it takes, terrorist actions against Israel are NOT ACCEPTABLE, and either learn to coexist or move elsewhere, out of Israeli territory.