NEW DELHI: Israeli minister Benny Gantz on Sunday announced his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s emergency government, removing the sole centrist force in the troubled leader’s far-right coalition amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza that has lasted for months.
In response, Netanyahu released a concise statement urging Gantz not to “abandon the front,” although his exit will not jeopardise the ruling right-wing coalition’s parliamentary majority of 64 seats in the 120-seat Knesset.
“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,” Gantz announced during a televised press conference.
Gantz’s resignation was anticipated since he had given the conservative prime minister a deadline of June 8 to present a clear post-conflict strategy for Gaza, where Israel has been conducting a devastating military campaign against Hamas, the governing Palestinian militant organisation.
The loss of Gantz means that Netanyahu will no longer have the support of a centrist bloc that has helped to increase support for the government both within Israel and internationally, at a time when diplomatic and internal pressure is mounting eight months into the Gaza conflict.
Initially, Gantz was set to announce his resignation on Saturday, but he delayed the announcement following the dramatic rescue of four Israeli hostages by Israeli forces.
Israel’s retaliatory military offensive targeting Hamas in Gaza has killed at least 37,084 people, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry.
Gantz triggered the ire of Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party in March when he made an official visit to Washington.
He continued his political manoeuvring in the following weeks, calling for early legislative elections and issuing an ultimatum to Netanyahu: agree to a plan for post-war Gaza by June 8, or Gantz would quit the government.
Last month, his party said it had submitted a bill to dissolve parliament and hold an early election — in which it would have little chance of success against Netanyahu’s coalition.
(With inputs from agencies)
In response, Netanyahu released a concise statement urging Gantz not to “abandon the front,” although his exit will not jeopardise the ruling right-wing coalition’s parliamentary majority of 64 seats in the 120-seat Knesset.
“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,” Gantz announced during a televised press conference.
Gantz’s resignation was anticipated since he had given the conservative prime minister a deadline of June 8 to present a clear post-conflict strategy for Gaza, where Israel has been conducting a devastating military campaign against Hamas, the governing Palestinian militant organisation.
The loss of Gantz means that Netanyahu will no longer have the support of a centrist bloc that has helped to increase support for the government both within Israel and internationally, at a time when diplomatic and internal pressure is mounting eight months into the Gaza conflict.
Initially, Gantz was set to announce his resignation on Saturday, but he delayed the announcement following the dramatic rescue of four Israeli hostages by Israeli forces.
Israel’s retaliatory military offensive targeting Hamas in Gaza has killed at least 37,084 people, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry.
Gantz triggered the ire of Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party in March when he made an official visit to Washington.
He continued his political manoeuvring in the following weeks, calling for early legislative elections and issuing an ultimatum to Netanyahu: agree to a plan for post-war Gaza by June 8, or Gantz would quit the government.
Last month, his party said it had submitted a bill to dissolve parliament and hold an early election — in which it would have little chance of success against Netanyahu’s coalition.
(With inputs from agencies)