Israeli War Cabinet minister resigns

FILE: Benny Gantz conducting a surprise visit to training bases as Chief of Staff, 2011. (Photo By Israel Defense Forces/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)

ISTANBUL – Israeli War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz and War Cabinet observer Gadi Eisenkot resigned Sunday from the emergency unity government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Addressing a press conference in Tel Aviv, Gantz urged Netanyahu to hold early elections “as soon as possible.”

“Months after the October tragedy, the situation in the country and the room of the decision-makers has changed. Netanyahu and his partners have turned unity into a moving call without real-world action. Fateful strategic decisions are met with hesitancy and procrastination due to political considerations,” Gantz said.

“Unfortunately, Netanyahu prevents us from reaching true victory. Therefore, today, we are leaving the emergency government with a heavy heart, but with a full heart.”

“To ensure a real victory, it is appropriate that in the fall, a year after the (Oct. 7) disaster, we need to go to elections that will eventually establish a government that gains the trust of the people and can stand up to the challenges. I call on Netanyahu: set an agreed-on date for the elections. Do not let our nation be torn apart,” he added.

Gantz also asked Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to resign from Netanyahu’s government.

“Defense minister, you are a courageous and determined leader, and above all — a patriot. In this time, leadership and courage means not only saying what’s right, but doing what’s right,” he said.

Former Army Chief of Staff Eisenkot also resigned as an observer from the War Cabinet.

In his letter, Eisenkot said “despite the efforts of many…the cabinet you headed was prevented for a long while from making determining decisions, which were needed to realize the war’s goals and improve Israel’s strategic position.”

He agreed with Gantz that recent decisions made by Netanyahu were “not necessarily in the country’s best interest.”

Gantz and Eisenkot, both members of the National Unity party, joined Netanyahu’s government following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, leading to the formation of the emergency government, which then established the War Cabinet. (Anadolu)