Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz Resigns from Netanyahu’s Coalition Amid Gaza Conflict
News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/10th June 2024
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced his departure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s emergency government on Sunday, effectively eliminating the sole centrist influence within the prime minister’s predominantly right-wing coalition amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict. This move comes after months of intense military engagement between Israel and Hamas, the ruling Palestinian militant group in Gaza.
In response to Gantz’s resignation, Netanyahu issued a succinct statement urging him not to “abandon the front.” However, despite Gantz’s departure, the ruling coalition maintains a comfortable parliamentary majority of 64 seats out of 120 in the Knesset, ensuring stability for Netanyahu’s government.
During a televised press conference, Gantz expressed his reasons for leaving the coalition, stating, “Netanyahu is preventing us from advancing toward true victory. That is why we are leaving the emergency government today, with a heavy heart but with full confidence.” His resignation had been anticipated, especially since he had given Netanyahu a deadline of June 8 to present a comprehensive strategy for addressing the Gaza conflict.
The absence of Gantz from the coalition deprives Netanyahu of the support of a centrist bloc, which has played a crucial role in bolstering domestic and international backing for the government amid the protracted Gaza crisis. As pressure mounts both diplomatically and internally, Gantz’s departure further complicates the already challenging situation, eight months into the conflict.
Initially scheduled to announce his resignation on Saturday, Gantz postponed the decision following the dramatic rescue of four Israeli hostages by Israeli forces. Nevertheless, his departure underscores the deepening political divisions within Israel, particularly concerning the handling of the Gaza crisis.
The military campaign against Hamas in Gaza has resulted in significant casualties, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting the deaths of at least 37,084 people, predominantly civilians. The conflict has intensified tensions between Gantz’s centrist bloc and Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party, particularly since Gantz’s official visit to Washington in March drew criticism from Likud members.
Gantz’s political maneuvers in recent months, including calls for early elections and ultimatums directed at Netanyahu, have strained the already fragile coalition. His party’s submission of a bill to dissolve parliament and call for early elections further underscored the growing rift between Gantz and Netanyahu, despite the slim chances of success for Gantz’s party in an electoral contest against Netanyahu’s formidable coalition.
As Gantz steps down from his position within the government, the dynamics of Israeli politics are set to undergo significant changes, with implications for the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the broader stability of the region.
