DEVELOPING STORYDEVELOPING STORY,
Gantz’s departure will not endanger the parliamentary majority in the Knesset held by the right-wing coalition in power.
Israeli Minister Benny Gantz announced his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s emergency government, stripping the leader’s far-right coalition of sole centrist power amid a months-long assault on Gaza.
“Netanyahu is preventing us from moving towards true victory. That is why we are leaving the emergency government today, with heavy hearts but with full confidence,” Gantz said in a televised press conference on Sunday.
He called for early elections, saying “there should be elections that eventually establish a government that will gain the trust of the people and be able to face challenges.”
“Appeal to Netanyahu: Set an agreed election date.”
Last month, Gantz threatened to leave the emergency government – formed last year to oversee the war in Gaza – if Netanyahu did not present a post-war plan for the besieged and bombed Palestinian territory, where Israel continues a ground and aerial bombing campaign. which has killed more than 37,000 people since October 7, according to Gaza health officials.
Demonstrations against the Netanyahu-led government are important, but they must be legal, Gantz said.
“Protests are important, however, they need to be conducted legally and should not encourage hatred. We are not enemies of each other. Our enemies are outside our borders,” he told reporters.
“I will be part of a government of national unity that includes all centrist parties and only this option will allow us to face all the challenges that lie ahead, even with Netanyahu. As I said, what we need is true and genuine unity and not partial unity.”
Gantz also called on Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to “do what is right.”
Netanyahu issued a brief statement calling on Gantz not to “abandon the front,” but his departure will not endanger the 64-seat parliamentary majority in the 120-seat Knesset held by the ruling right-wing coalition.
Gantz is seen as Netanyahu’s main political rival in Israel. He was a leading figure in the opposition before joining the war cabinet.
This is a developing story. More to follow…
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
