Jerusalem [Israel], June 8: Mr. Gantz is considered by the West and Arab countries to have a moderate stance. His withdrawal from the coalition could put Netanyahu under more pressure from the US and internationally, according to Axios .
Minister Benny Gantz participated in the emergency government established after the attack by Hamas forces on October 7, 2023. Mr. Netanyahu created a war cabinet and gave Mr. Gantz much influence over decision-making. However, as the war dragged on, Prime Minister Netanyahu ignored many commitments to Mr. Gantz and was said to want to remove the minister from power.
Previously, at a press conference on May 18, Minister Gantz said he wanted the Israeli war cabinet to outline a plan including 6 points before June 8. If his expectations are not met, he said, he will withdraw his party from the emergency coalition, according to Reuters.
Mr Gantz said an extremist minority had taken over decision-making power "and is driving Israel into a corner". He was said to be referring to nationalists within the administration, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Mr. Gantz's party's withdrawal from the government does not cause Mr. Netanyahu's coalition to disintegrate because it still holds a majority in parliament. But this move could cause internal instability in the context of the ongoing Gaza conflict and the ceasefire agreement is still open. Mr. Gantz's National Solidarity Alliance has 8 seats in the Israeli Parliament, while Mr. Netanyahu's coalition will still hold 64 seats after the latest developments.
When a moderate person like Mr. Gantz withdraws from the government, the Israeli cabinet may move towards a tougher line in policy decisions in Gaza, with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the escalating conflict with the Palestinian Authority. Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.
In another development, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to arrive in Israel on June 10 as part of his 8th visit to the Middle East since the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel conflict.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper