Israel's Gantz Threatens to Leave War Cabinet Unless New Plan Adopted

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Bloomberg

May 18, 2024 at 11:07 AM EDT
Updated on May 18, 2024 at 2:07 PM EDT


DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel’s three-member War Cabinet, threatened on Saturday to resign from the government if it doesn't adopt a new plan in three weeks' time for the war in Gaza, a move that would leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more reliant on his far-right allies.

His announcement escalates a divide within Israel’s leadership more than seven months into a war in which it has yet to accomplish its stated goals of dismantling Hamas and returning scores of hostages abducted in the Oct. 7 attack.

Gantz spelled out a six-point plan that includes the return of scores of hostages, ending Hamas' rule, demilitarizing the Gaza strip and establishing an international administration of civilian affairs. It also supports efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia. He says if it is not adopted by June 8 he will quit the government. “If you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss — we will be forced to quit the government,” he said.

Gantz, a popular politician and longtime political rival of Netanyahu, joined his coalition and the War Cabinet in the early days of the war.

Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/en/news/thp/2024-05-18/aid-from-new-pier-off-gaza-should-be-distributed-this-weekend-while-pressure-grows-on-netanyahu

[DavidDvorkin]

1. Good

I've been hoping for something like this.

[TomDaisy]

2. it's not enough. the genocide against Gaza must end. #NeverAgain

[JohnSJ]

3. PA's Abbas accuses Hamas of giving Israel 'pretexts' for Gaza war with Oct. 7 attack

PA's Abbas accuses Hamas of giving Israel 'pretexts' for Gaza war with Oct. 7 attack
The Hamas terror group gave Israel pretexts and justifications for the war in Gaza with its October 7 attack, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told the 33rd Arab League Summit in Manama on Thursday.

“The military action that Hamas carried out, at its own decision, on that day, October 7, gave Israel even more excuses and reasons to attack in the Gaza Strip, an attack it has continued with full force, with murder, destruction and uprooting,” Abbas said, according to a Channel 12 translation.

“We oppose harming civilians, all civilians,” added Abbas, who has refrained from condemning the October 7 onslaught itself.

Following the comments, Hamas voiced its “regret over the remarks,” asserting that the atrocities it perpetrated in southern Israel, in which terrorists killed some 1,200 people and kidnapped another 252, mostly civilians, “placed our Palestinian cause at the forefront of priorities, achieving strategic gains.”

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1134140801

[CincyDem]

4. Unfortunately, while this will be a PR blow to Bibi, Gantz' departure will be insufficient to bring down the government.

Gantz was brought in as part of forming a War Cabinet, not a government. Without Gantz’ party, IIRC Bibi has a 63 seat coalition government in a world where he needs 61. All of Bibi’s coalition is to his right while Gantz is to his left…this implies Gantz would have a hard time convincing anyone to leave the government and, as a result, toppling Bibi’s government.

It’s an effective way to take his position to the public but, from afar, it seems like he’d be more effective in the room where it happens vs. being on the outside reading about policies/actions after the fact. IMHO.

[Beastly Boy]

5. The resignation is not likely to dissolve the government in itself, bit it is the first step.

Gantz and Eisenkot, both of the national Unity party, are likely to resign together, which will still leave Netanyahu's coalition with a majority. However...

This is likely to lead to a no confidence vote in the Knesset, and if the current government loses the confidence vote, Israel's President will be left with three choices: charge Netanyahu with putting together a new governing coalition, charge Benny Gantz with doing so, or dissolve the Knesset and call for new elections. Given Netanyahu's plummeting ratings and diminished clout with the members of his own coalition government, all three options are likely to leave Netanyahu out of the prime minister's seat.

[CincyDem]

7. Maybe. Certainly a path but I don't see any of his coalition voting no confidence.

He survived one in January when the coalition members boycotted the vote. I don’t think they get to 61 if the coalition holds. These guys to the right of bibi have too much to lose to try a power play to squeeze Likud into replacing him. IMHO of course.

I’d love to see someone douse him with WD-40 and pry him out of office but it’s gonna take more than gantz walking away.

[Traurigkeit]

6. Benny Gantz threatening is meaning less to the other two people and Bibi.

[LeftInTX]

8. I constantly get Benny Gantz and Yoav Gallant mixed up!!! It's so confusing.

"War cabinet" in Israel sounds more like a coalition than our "cabinets" in the US.

Gantz is a member of Knesset, and is an opposition leader. (He's a retired general)
Gallant is the equivalent of our Sec of Defense??? (Minister of Defense??? I think????.) (He's also a retired general.)

Gantz had a higher rank in the military than Gallant.

Currently Gallant is also giving Netanyahu headaches. So this is adding even more to my confusion!!!

Back to sliding under my rock!!!