War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz is expected to make an announcement this Saturday regarding his withdrawal from the coalition government led by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Gantz has had disagreements with Netanyahu over the handling of the offensive in the Gaza Strip, which has been ongoing for eight months. The National Unity party, to which Gantz belongs, has not provided a clear reason for his impending announcement, but it is widely assumed that he will withdraw his support for the emergency executive established by Netanyahu in response to attacks by Hamas.
Formerly in opposition, Gantz agreed to join Netanyahu’s government of national unity during times of war. As a member of the war cabinet, he holds one of the three voting positions alongside the prime minister and the Defense Minister. Gantz had set a deadline for Netanyahu to present a post-war plan for the Gaza Strip, which has not been met.
Although Gantz’s departure may not immediately threaten Netanyahu’s coalition government, it represents a symbolic blow to the prime minister. The far-right and ultra-Orthodox factions within the coalition government also pose significant challenges. These parties have threatened to leave the coalition over issues such as ceasefire agreements with Hamas and military exemptions for ultra-Orthodox individuals. The survival of Netanyahu’s government may depend on maintaining support from these factions.