Benny Gantz Resigns from Israel's War Cabinet, Criticizing Netanyahu

Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity Party and one of three members of Israel's war cabinet, resigned from his position in protest against the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Sunday, June 9, he issued a statement saying, "Unfortunately, the Prime Minister is preventing our country from achieving a real victory." He accused Netanyahu of making "empty promises" and expecting the painful and ongoing war to continue into the next year, while the country should take a different path. This centrist member of the war cabinet accused Netanyahu of "mismanagement" in military actions and prioritizing his own "political survival" over the security needs of the country. Gantz had previously indicated that he would announce his party's exit from the cabinet in a speech on Saturday, which ultimately occurred a day later. According to the Associated Press, Gantz's resignation does not pose an immediate threat to Netanyahu, as he still holds a parliamentary majority coalition. The Israeli Prime Minister heavily relies on far-right allies who oppose the U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal and want to continue the war in Gaza. Gantz also called for elections in Israel in the fall and urged Yoav Gallant, the Minister of Defense and another member of the three-person war cabinet, to do the "right thing" and resign as well. The day before, Netanyahu had asked Gantz not to resign from the war cabinet, stating, "Now is the time for unity, not division." Gantz had given Netanyahu's government a week to present a new strategic approach to the Gaza war, or he would resign from the cabinet. Gantz's resignation will force Netanyahu to rely even more on his far-right coalition allies, including Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Minister of National Security, and Bezalel Smotrich, the Minister of Finance, leaders of two right-wing Israeli parties, who could more easily topple Netanyahu's government if he does not meet their demands. The right-wing ministers are calling for the reoccupation of Gaza, "voluntary transfer" of Palestinians, and the rebuilding of Jewish settlements in the area.