Gantz seeks mobilizing Likud candidates in a bid to topple Netanyahu

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
5 Feb 2024 12:27

Benny Gantz is after altering the makeup of his government in the ongoing Knesset session.

Israeli Minister Benny Gantz gives a statement to the press on March 1, 2020 (AFP)

Emissaries dispatched by Israeli minister Benny Gantz sought to enlist ministers and members from the Likud party in an attempt to topple Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and alter the makeup of his government in the ongoing Knesset session, Israeli media reported.

The emissaries put forth various candidates from the Likud party for the prime ministerial position, without advocating for the appointment of Benny Gantz to the position, as per Israeli media.

In further detail, Israeli media reports detailed that the core concept conveyed by the emissaries was to "select a mutually agreed-upon candidate for a defined period without subsequent competition for leadership within the Likud party."

According to reports from Israeli media, those close to Benny Gantz didn't comment on the matter.

The big picture

Gantz is currently one of the prominent leaders of the Israeli opposition, which was formed after the establishment of the current government in late 2022, dominated by the far right. Gantz is also a member of the emergency government and the War Cabinet during the ongoing aggression on the Gaza Strip.

Against the backdrop of the war on Gaza and the failure to achieve "objectives", internal schisms and debacles arose among Israeli officials, particularly between Gantz and Netanyahu. These differences have become evident in the Israeli media, which suggests that Gantz is likely one of the leading candidates to succeed Netanyahu in power.

It is worth noting that Netanyahu and Gantz hold differing views on the war and its aspects. Netanyahu believes that applying "military pressure on Hamas in Gaza" will lead to a potential deal to release Israeli captives, while Gantz opposes this strategy. Instead, he advocates for exploring "new approaches that could incentivize Hamas to take constructive steps," as reported by Haaretz.

On the other hand, Israel Hayom newspaper revealed that Gantz, Gallant, and Eisenkot, along with Israeli security and military figures, believe that Netanyahu should present a political plan to help achieve the war's goals. However, Netanyahu has refrained from making such a decision, citing various justifications.