The head of the National Unity Party, MK Benny Gantz, announced tonight in a press conference that he and his party will resign from the government, eight months after forming a national unity government last October. The National Unity Party includes eight Knesset members, and their departure would leave Benjamin Netanyahu's government with a small majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
Gantz had given Netanyahu an ultimatum three weeks ago to change direction, after he felt that his and his party’s influence on the management of the war was diminishing. Since October, Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot have served alongside Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer in a five-member war cabinet.
At this evening's press conference, Gantz said that Netanyahu is preventing a true victory, which can only be achieved through a combination of military, political and diplomatic means. He said that true victory includes overthrowing and replacing Hamas, releasing hostages, restoring peace in the north, and forming a regional alliance against Iran.
He urged Netanyahu to agree to hold Knesset elections in the fall and pledged to form a government investigation committee into the October 7 failures.
Gantz said: “Frankly, entering the government was a simple decision. Leaving, when we remain hostages in Hamas’ tunnels, and the residents of the north are far from their homes, and thousands of fighters are on the front, is a complicated matter.” The two painful decisions have one common denominator: the interest of the State of Israel. We tried to influence the direction of the ship. The truth is that I will not promise you an easy and quick victory. The State of Israel needs a real victory and can achieve it.”
He added: “True victory puts the return of hostages above remaining in power. True victory combines military success with political and diplomatic initiative. True victory will lead to the collapse of Hamas and its replacement. True victory will lead to the collapse of Hamas.” Returning the residents of the North to their homes safely. True victory would establish a regional alliance against Iran led by the United States and with it the entire Western world, which is changing national priorities, expanding the circle of those who serve the country and ensuring that Israel is able to face the challenges it faces and not introduce a law that harms the country. State security in times of war before the Knesset tomorrow, because of a political debt.
He added: “Unfortunately, Netanyahu prevents us from progressing towards real victory, which is the justification for the painful and continuing price we pay. Therefore, we leave the emergency government today, with a heavy heart, but with all sincerity. We stand today for the battle for the fate of the State of Israel for future generations, “In order to ensure a real victory, it is appropriate that in the fall, one year after the disaster, we go to elections that will ultimately win the confidence of the people so that we can face the challenges.”
Published by Globes, Israel Business News – en.globes.co.il – on June 9, 2024.
© Copyright Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd., 2024.
