Gantz intends to resign from 'war cabinet', US trying to prevent him
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Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz plans to resign on Saturday, and US efforts seek to dissuade him.
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Israeli Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz attends a press conference in the Kirya military base in occupied Palestine, on October 28, 2023. (AP)
War cabinet member Benny Gantz is slated to tender his resignation from the cabinet tomorrow evening, as per his self-imposed deadline. Meanwhile, those in his surroundings are leveling accusations against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleging a lack of effort to stave off the collapse of the emergency unity government.
The State Camp alliance, headed by Gantz, convened on Thursday to deliberate on the prospect of exiting the emergency government, in line with Gantz's recent declaration of his intent to resign, should his stipulations regarding the war, negotiations, and future course remain unaddressed.
Israeli media sources stated that "Gantz has instructed his office to arrange a press conference."
According to reports from Israeli media outlets, "Netanyahu is anticipated to suggest to Gideon Sa’ar that he take over Gantz's position in the war cabinet. Should Sa’ar decline, Netanyahu is contemplating dismantling the slimmed-down cabinet entirely."
US efforts to deter Gantz
US efforts are underway to deter Gantz from resigning from the "war cabinet." The Israeli Makan channel website reported a "sense of apprehension in Washington regarding his departure at this critical juncture," further noting that "the Americans view Gantz as a key ally."
The website quoted a report on channel Kan 11, "The US reached out to Gantz, seeking to ascertain the feasibility of postponing or averting his departure from the cabinet, particularly in light of the ongoing negotiations aimed at reaching a new agreement."
Gantz has recently received appeals from the families of the captives, urging him not to resign and to remain in the war cabinet for a longer duration, at least until a resolution is reached. He considered staying in the government over the past week, but the current plan is to resign on Saturday evening.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu's office set Sunday as the date for the expanded ministerial discussion, a day after the deadline set by Gantz to leave the government.
The government meeting, scheduled for last night, was canceled, amid expectations that this session would mark the final one before ministers Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot's withdrawal from the government.
Following this announcement, the State Camp alliance convened a meeting of its parliamentary bloc to discuss the timing of their withdrawal from the war cabinet.
In his address, Gantz urged the formulation of a comprehensive strategy to achieve six key objectives: The repatriation of detainees, the elimination of Hamas, the disarmament of the Gaza Strip, the establishment of a viable governance structure in Gaza, the relocation of settlers from northern areas by September 1, the advancement of the normalization process, and the implementation of reforms in "Israel's" military service, according to Makan.
