Gantz Urges Netanyahu Not to Be 'Subdued' by Extremist Members of His Government

Following a three-week ultimatum that Benny Gantz, a senior member of Israel's war cabinet, gave to Benjamin Netanyahu regarding a fundamental change in the country's strategy, including the future of Gaza, right-wing ministers in the coalition government called for the Prime Minister to dismiss both Gantz and the Defense Minister. At the same time, Israeli media reported that Gantz sent another message to Netanyahu, urging him not to be 'subdued' by extremist elements in the government and to 'make the right decision.' On Saturday night, May 18, Gantz stated in a press conference that if Netanyahu does not present his strategy on six key points by June 8, he and his party would exit the coalition government. Gantz's six demands included: First, the return of kidnapped Israeli citizens; second, the overthrow of Hamas's government and the demilitarization of Gaza, allowing for a joint plan with the U.S., Europe, Arab countries, and Palestinians for civilian governance of the strip; third, advancing normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia; fourth, the return of tens of thousands of Israeli citizens who left their homes in northern Israel due to Hezbollah attacks; fifth, the reconstruction of settlements destroyed in Hamas's attacks in southern Israel; and sixth, the approval of a plan for mandatory military service for all citizens (without exemptions for religious individuals). Itamar Ben-Gvir, the National Security Minister and leader of a right-wing movement allied with Netanyahu's government, stated in media messages and discussions after Gantz's ultimatum that the Prime Minister should dismiss both Gantz and Yoav Galant, the Defense Minister. On Sunday, May 19, Ben-Gvir claimed there are better candidates than Galant for the Defense Ministry position. Bezalel Smotrich, the Finance Minister and leader of the 'Religious Zionism' party, responded to Gantz's demands on the social media platform X, stating, 'Israel will win the war with or without you (in the government).' Smotrich accused Gantz and his allies of causing 'delays in the military operations in Gaza' and of still pursuing the establishment of a Palestinian state under pressure from the U.S. The potential exit of Gantz and his party from the government coalition would not topple Netanyahu's cabinet, as it would still have the support of 64 Knesset members out of 120. However, the departure of the 'National Unity' party from the government would further tie Netanyahu to the right-wing factions. In response to Gantz's ultimatum for a new strategy in the Gaza war, the Israeli Prime Minister's office stated on Saturday night: 'While our heroic soldiers are fighting to destroy Hamas brigades in Rafah, Benny Gantz prefers to set a deadline for the Prime Minister instead of issuing an ultimatum to Hamas.' The Prime Minister's office added: 'The conditions set by Gantz mean one thing: the end of the war and Israel's defeat, abandoning efforts to free kidnapped citizens, maintaining Hamas's rule, and creating a Palestinian state.' Nevertheless, General Gantz responded again to the Prime Minister's office's message, saying it is better for Netanyahu to avoid being intimidated by extremists in his government and to make the right decisions. Benny Gantz, a former Chief of Staff of the Army and leader of the 'National Unity' party, joined the cabinet coalition shortly after the extremist Hamas group's attack on Israeli soil to strengthen the government in the war against Hamas, forming two members of the five-member war cabinet alongside Gadi Eisenkot, who was also a former Chief of Staff. The extreme right-wing ministers are not part of the war cabinet. The positions expressed by Generals Gantz and Eisenkot during the war align closely with the views of Yoav Galant, the Defense Minister, who is a party member of Benjamin Netanyahu in Likud. Last Wednesday, Galant told Netanyahu in front of cameras that military or civilian governance of Gaza by Israel would be a mistake, and the Prime Minister should present his plan for the post-war period in Gaza. Netanyahu rejected the requests from his party members and right-wingers for Galant's dismissal, stating he would have a private meeting with him. Weekend polls in Israel have shown that Benny Gantz is currently the most popular politician among the public, but it is unclear if he could form a government in the event of early elections, as public support for right-wing and religious parties has increased due to the events that the people of Israel have endured since Hamas's attack on their country and during the war. The intensification of political conflict in the Israeli government comes as Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor at the White House, is set to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials in Israel on Sunday after traveling to Saudi Arabia for further discussions regarding the Gaza war. The White House has opposed Israel's extensive ground operations in Rafah and emphasized the need to support civilians taking refuge in this southern part of the Gaza Strip.