Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced his resignation from the emergency government formed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, withdrawing the only force representing the centrist faction in the right-wing extremist coalition led by Netanyahu amid the ongoing months-long war in the Gaza Strip.
Gantz said in a press conference that he is “leaving the emergency government today with a heavy heart,” adding that he will return to the opposition ranks and support any responsible decision.
Gantz added, “We are withdrawing from this government because Netanyahu is preventing us from progressing towards achieving real victory.”
He stressed that with Israel’s interest “not with Netanyahu’s personal interest,” and the door will remain open to any Zionist party ready to help achieve victory over our enemies and ensure the safety of our citizens.
He added, “We will continue until victory is achieved and all war objectives are met, including the release of all hostages and the elimination of the Hamas movement.”
Gantz called on Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant to show courage and “do what is right.”
Gadi Eisenkot’s Withdrawal
Also, Israeli War Council member Gadi Eisenkot withdrew from the emergency government, saying in his resignation letter to Netanyahu, “The Cabinet you chaired did not make decisive decisions required to achieve the objectives of the war.”
He added that “avoiding making decisive decisions harms the strategic situation and national security of Israel… Netanyahu, we have recently witnessed that the decisions you made are not necessarily in the country’s interest.”
