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Rivals Benjamin Netanyahu, Benny Gantz (on October 28, 2023 at a press conference in Tel Aviv)
Photo: REUTERS
Almost six months after the start of the war, further cracks are emerging in the Israeli leadership: Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet and political rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has called for new elections. A date in September must be agreed upon.
"Setting such a date will allow us to continue military efforts and at the same time signal to the citizens of Israel that we will soon renew their trust in us," Gantz said in a TV speech.
Although Gantz is a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet, he is not a member of the government. The ex-defense minister is the head of the second largest opposition party and a critic of the prime minister. There had been repeated friction between politicians recently.
About a month ago, Gantz traveled to the United States - at a time when friction between the US and Netanyahu had increased. Israeli media reported at the time that Netanyahus had rebuked Gantz in a "tough conversation": the country "only has one prime minister."
The protests in Israel against the Netanyahu government have recently increased. Tens of thousands of demonstrators are repeatedly calling for new elections and a quick agreement to release the hostages that Hamas still holds. Netanyahu is also increasingly criticized by international allies for Israel's brutal conduct of the war.
Hamas and other extremist organizations attacked southern Israel on October 7 last year, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping around 250 hostages. Israel responded to the worst massacre in its history with massive air strikes and a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.
spr/Reuters