Worthy Christian News > Israel-Palestinian Conflict > Gantz Withdraws from Coalition, Calls for Elections

Gantz Withdraws from Coalition, Calls for Elections

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Benny Gantz, chairman of the National United Party and a member of the War Cabinet, announced that he and his party are withdrawing from the coalition government formed after the October 7 massacre. While his resignation will not collapse the coalition government, it will leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more dependent on his far-right partners.

Gantz stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “is preventing us from advancing towards true victory, which is the justification for the painful and prolonged cost.”

“To ensure a true victory, it is fitting that in the fall, a year after the disaster, we hold elections after which a government that will gain the people’s trust and can face the challenges will be formed. I call on Netanyahu: set an agreed election date. Don’t let our people be torn apart,” Gantz added.

Gantz called for an election in the fall, coinciding with the first anniversary of the attacks, saying it “will lead to a true unity government.”

“The war will continue for years,” said Gantz, addressing Israelis. “I will not promise a quick and easy victory. You deserve more than empty promises. But Israel should and must achieve real victory.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the announcement, saying, “Israel is in an existential war on several fronts. Benny, now is not the time to abandon the fight; it is the time to combine forces. Citizens of Israel, we will keep fighting until victory and until the achievement of all of the goals of the war, first of which is to free all of our hostages and to eliminate Hamas. My door will stay open to any Zionist party that is willing to share the burden and help bring victory over our enemies and ensure the safety of our citizens.”

Gantz announced on May 18 that his party would leave the government on June 8 if Netanyahu did not adopt six objectives: returning the hostages, demolishing Hamas and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, providing a governing alternative in Gaza, returning residents of the North to their homes by September 1 and rehabilitating the western Negev, promoting normalization with Saudi Arabia, and adopting a standardized national service plan for all Israelis.