Cracks Deepen in Israel as Opposition Head Issues ‘Ultimatum’ to Netanyahu

War minister Benny Gantz is threatening to leave the government if the Israeli prime minister does not articulate a plan to win the war and in Gaza

Israeli War cabinet minister Benny Gantz issued an ultimatum in a speech on 18 May, threatening to abandon Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition if the Israeli prime minister fails to present a clear plan for how Gaza will be ruled should Hamas be defeated in the current war.

In his speech, Gantz criticized Netanyahu’s management of the war, saying the army should have launched the ongoing invasion of Rafah months ago in defiance of international warnings that such an invasion would kill and displace vast numbers of Gaza civilians already on the brink of starvation.

“A war is only won with a clear and realistic strategic compass,” said Gantz, who brought his National Unity party into the governing coalition after the start of the war on 7 October....

Gantz warned that he will abandon the ruling coalition if Netanyahu does not implement a clear plan to win the war by 8 June.

Gantz demanded that Netanyahu work to accomplish six strategic goals:

Bring home the roughly 100 Israeli captives still held by Hamas in Gaza.

Topple Hamas, demilitarize Gaza, and gain Israeli security control over the strip.

Create an international civilian governance mechanism for Gaza, including US, European, Arab, and Palestinian elements, while excluding Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Return settlers to their homes in the north and southwest of Israel who have been evacuated due to the wars with Hezbollah and Hamas, respectively.

Advance normalization with Saudi Arabia.

Pass legislation requiring Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jews to serve in the army.

In his speech, Gantz vowed to “go after Hamas and all our enemies in every situation and everywhere and at all times” and that “we will not allow any outside power, friendly or hostile, to impose a Palestinian state on us.”

“But if you choose the path of the zealots and lead the whole state into the abyss, we will be forced to leave the government,” he warned, referring to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

Netanyahu relies on the support of the two Jewish supremacist ministers to keep his coalition intact. Both have called for the destruction of Gaza, the expulsion of Palestinians from the enclave, and the building of Jewish settlements there...

Gantz’s demands would mean “an end to the war and defeat for Israel, abandoning the majority of the hostages, leaving Hamas in power, and creating a Palestinian state,” Netanyahu claimed.

In response, Gantz issued a separate statement reiterating his opposition to a Palestinian state.

National Security Minister Ben Gvir accused Gantz of being “a small leader with large eyes” and that since he joined the government, he has “mainly been involved in attempts to dismantle it.”

Finance Minister Smotrich said the country “will win with Gantz or without him.”

Amid growing calls by far-right lawmakers to establish Jewish settlements in Gaza, Smotrich urged Netanyahu “to make a strategic decision on full Israeli control of Gaza,” which Gallant explicitly said he would not allow during his remarks earlier in the week.

🔗SOURCE ➡️ The Cradle

Related: 5/15 — Israeli Defense Minister Challenges Netanyahu on Long-Term Plan for Gaza

5/3 — Tensions rise in Netanyahu’s coalition government as military replacements announced: [2]

4/28 — ❗️ Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to Netanyahu:

If you cancel the Rafah invasion, your government will not have the authority to continue.

4/9 — Top Israeli Officials Panic Over Wind-Down of Gaza War

4/8 — Right Time To Do A Hostage Deal, Says Israel's Defence Minister [Gallant]

3/29 — Netanyahu’s Party Blames Opposition for Driving Wedge With Washington

3/2 — Netanyahu Fumes Over Gantz Washington Visit

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