Editor-DN
New Delhi: Israeli Minister Benny Gantz announced the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s emergency government on Sunday, removing the only centrist force in the embattled leader’s far-right coalition amid months of conflict in Gaza. .
In response, Netanyahu issued a brief statement urging Gantz not to “abandon the front,” even though his exit would leave the ruling right-wing coalition with 64 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. The majority will not be threatened.
“Netanyahu is preventing us from moving toward real victory. That is why we are leaving the emergency government today with heavy hearts but full of confidence,” Gantz announced during a televised press conference.
Gantz’s resignation was expected after he gave the conservative prime minister a June 8 deadline to come up with a clear post-war strategy for Gaza, where Israel has launched a devastating offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas. A military campaign is underway.
Gantz’s loss means Netanyahu will no longer have the backing of a centrist bloc that has helped build support for the government inside Israel and internationally, at a time when the conflict in Gaza has left eight dead. Diplomatic and internal pressure has been mounting for months.
Gantz was initially scheduled to announce his resignation on Saturday, but delayed the announcement after the dramatic rescue of four Israeli hostages by Israeli forces.
At least 37,084 people, mostly civilians, were killed in Israel’s retaliatory military operation targeting Hamas in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry of the Hamas-controlled territory.
Gantz drew the ire of Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party in March when he paid an official visit to Washington.
He continued his political maneuvering in the following weeks, calling for early legislative elections and issuing an ultimatum to Netanyahu: agree to a post-war Gaza plan by June 8, or else leave the Gantz government. will
Last month, his party said it had introduced a bill to dissolve parliament and call early elections — which would reduce Netanyahu’s chances of success against his coalition.
(with input from agencies)
In response, Netanyahu issued a brief statement urging Gantz not to “abandon the front,” even though his exit would leave the ruling right-wing coalition with 64 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. The majority will not be threatened.
“Netanyahu is preventing us from moving toward real victory. That is why we are leaving the emergency government today with heavy hearts but full of confidence,” Gantz announced during a televised press conference.
Gantz’s resignation was expected after he gave the conservative prime minister a June 8 deadline to come up with a clear post-war strategy for Gaza, where Israel has launched a devastating offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas. A military campaign is underway.
Gantz’s loss means Netanyahu will no longer have the backing of a centrist bloc that has helped build support for the government inside Israel and internationally, at a time when the conflict in Gaza has left eight dead. Diplomatic and internal pressure has been mounting for months.
Gantz was initially scheduled to announce his resignation on Saturday, but delayed the announcement after the dramatic rescue of four Israeli hostages by Israeli forces.
At least 37,084 people, mostly civilians, were killed in Israel’s retaliatory military operation targeting Hamas in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry of the Hamas-controlled territory.
Gantz drew the ire of Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party in March when he paid an official visit to Washington.
He continued his political maneuvering in the following weeks, calling for early legislative elections and issuing an ultimatum to Netanyahu: agree to a post-war Gaza plan by June 8, or else leave the Gantz government. will
Last month, his party said it had introduced a bill to dissolve parliament and call early elections — which would reduce Netanyahu’s chances of success against his coalition.
(with input from agencies)
