Disputes in the War Cabinet; Netanyahu vs. Gallant, Gantz
3 Min Read
Occupation PM Netanyahu remains adamant against discussing the day after the war in War Cabinet sessions which has been vehemently opposed by Benny Gantz and CurYoav Gallant.
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Israeli Occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Security Minister Yoav Gallant, and Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz speak during a news conference in the Kirya military base in "Tel Aviv", Occupied Palestine, on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 (AP)
Israeli media reported that internal disputes are brewing within the Israeli War Cabinet due to Occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to discuss the "day after" the war.
Kan Channel political commentator Mihal Shemesh said, "There is a lot of fear and tension within the war cabinet before a decisive week," pointing out that one of the points of contention is the issue of the day after.
"Netanyahu must choose between [opposition leader and War Cabinet member] Benny Gantz or [Finance Minister and War Cabinet member] Yisrael Katz, and this decision must be made soon," Shemesh said.
"Relations with [Security Minister] Yoav Gallant have also not been good since the onset of the war," he added. "Both Gallant and Gantz have rejected the invitation from Netanyahu's office to participate in the joint press conference, and the three empty chairs we saw on the screen seem to remain empty."
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Additionally, Israeli media reported that the IOF is uneasy about the political establishment still not specifying the objectives of the war: noting that field achievements "erode over time without a political process."
Israeli media also reported that Netanyahu's office had informed Gantz and Gallant that discussing the day after in the War Cabinet is not possible because it would cause trouble in the coalition.
Gantz reportedly dismissed this saying that even if trouble ensues in the coalition that is not a valid reason to disregard discussing the day after the war.
"The army must know what is planned for it in the fourth stage. To prepare for the continuation of the fighting," he said.
"Since when do we not discuss such matters in the cabinet? The second session is not a session to discuss such matters. Where is it written that it is forbidden to take a position before we reach the expanded session [convening of the whole cabinet and not just the war cabinet]?"
On his part, Gallant said, "This session [the war cabinet] is not a technical session, and we must discuss this matter in this session."
Commenting on these disagreements, Channel 13 political commentator, Tzvi Yehezkeli, said, "The system of relations between this trio, specifically Gallant and Gantz vis-a-vis Netanyahu, is still defined by disrespect and doubtfulnes, and this can affect the management of the war."
