Benny Gantz, key rival to the Israeli Prime Minister, resigns from the government. What are the implications?
In ShortFormer general and National Unity party leader Benny Gantz has resigned from Israel’s war cabinet due to the broader cabinet’s failure to agree on his six-point plan for Gaza’s post-war administration. Gantz’s proposal included a temporary international civil administration for Gaza with Israel retaining security control and expanding national service to include ultra-Orthodox Jews. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the plan, likely for personal and political reasons, including maintaining coalition unity and avoiding legal issues. Gantz’s resignation benefits far-right politicians like National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who may fill his war cabinet slot. This strengthens the far-right’s influence in Netanyahu’s coalition. Public support for the war remains, though confidence in Netanyahu’s objectives is declining, with protests demanding an exchange deal for captives and Netanyahu’s dismissal. Gantz consistently leads in polls over Netanyahu, but elections may be delayed. His resignation is unlikely to change the stance of Israel’s allies, who continue to support Israel despite international criticism and accusations of genocide. |
Former general and leader of Israel’s National Unity party, Benny Gantz, has resigned from the war cabinet, citing the wider cabinet’s failure to agree on a plan for Gaza beyond the current conflict. In mid-May, Gantz proposed a six-point plan for Gaza’s administration after the fighting. He had stated that if this plan was not agreed upon, he would leave the cabinet.
Gantz, considered a centrist and the main rival to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, put forth a plan that included a temporary US-European-Arab-Palestinian civil administration for Gaza, while Israel retained control over security. His plan also suggested expanding national service to include ultra-Orthodox Jews, whose draft exemption is protected by two parties in Netanyahu’s coalition.
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Netanyahu reportedly rejected Gantz’s plan, possibly for personal gain. Gantz accused Netanyahu of hindering progress toward a true victory, and there is speculation that Netanyahu aims to prolong the war to safeguard his political position amidst legal troubles, including charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust since his 2019 indictment. Additionally, a future plan for Gaza could fracture Netanyahu’s coalition, which includes factions favoring different approaches to Gaza’s administration.
Gantz’s resignation benefits the far-right, providing them more influence. His departure opens a war cabinet slot potentially for a far-right politician like National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. This strengthens the far-right partnership of Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who together hold more parliamentary seats than Gantz’s center party. Gantz’s exit removes a significant moderate voice from the government, potentially paving the way for more extreme policies regarding Gaza.
Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have advocated for Gaza’s residents to “voluntarily migrate” and for Israelis to settle in the area. Netanyahu, while possibly opposing this view, has not significantly challenged the far-right since the war began in October.
Public sentiment in Israel remains supportive of the war, although confidence in Netanyahu’s ability to achieve his goals of destroying Hamas and freeing captives through military means is waning. Protests continue, with large crowds in Tel Aviv and other locations demanding an exchange deal for captives and the dismissal of Netanyahu.
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Polls consistently show Gantz leading over Netanyahu, except when Gantz’s threat to quit the cabinet, perceived as unpatriotic, briefly boosted Netanyahu. According to Eyal Lurie-Pardes of the Middle East Institute, elections might still be far off, potentially delayed until March if Netanyahu can maintain his coalition until the summer recess.
Gantz’s resignation is unlikely to change Israel’s allies’ stance. Despite preferring Gantz as an interlocutor, the US and Western states have continued to support Israel militarily and diplomatically since the conflict began, largely ignoring international accusations of genocide and arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Even the rejection of a ceasefire plan proposed by US President Joe Biden has not significantly altered this support.
