Ahead of Yom Kippur, Defense Minister Gantz calls on Israelis to remember that they must join forces in order to stay strong. In a wide-ranging interview with Israel Hayom the State Party leader and one of the contenders to become Israel's next prime minister in the Nov. 1 election, asked Israelis to use the day of reflection to think about what unites them.
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Gantz also attacked former Prime Minister Netanyahu for his conduct when they served together in a unity government in 2020 for not fully implementing the rotating premiership deal, and offered his own apologies as is customary during the holy day of repentance in the Jewish calendar, which begins Tuesday night and ends on Wednesday at sundown.
Q: Some 49 years after the Yom Kippur War, what are the lessons we can draw from it?
"The basic lesson is that we should not have the sin of hubris. Not in the political echelon and not in the top brass in the military, or at the tactical level. Today, my efforts are aimed at ensuring we are ready for a future war rather than for the war of the past. Another critical thing is to make sure we maintain our military edge in the region and be the strongest while keeping our strategic ties with the US always intact."
Q: That is the military dimension.
"On the civilian side, we proved during the Yom Kippur War that in dire straits we can be united; we have to be able to pass this test today as well. It should not be taken for granted, not at all – the mission is to turn Israel into a society where every tribe fits in rather than have a fragmented society."
Q: Will a maritime deal on the disputed gas reservoirs be signed with Lebanon?
"I really hope so. I envision two drilling rigs. This situation would be better for both countries. The question is whether another round of hostilities will erupt by then. Having a signed agreement that deals with the maritime border doesn't mean things can't deteriorate in other areas because of various reasons. But if this maritime issue is not resolved, other areas could be used to trigger an escalation."
Q: The deal will have a stabilizing effect on the region?
"When both countries have strategic facilities right next to each other, it's a win-win, it creates stability."
Q: But some say the deal involves giving up sovereign areas without the proper authority.
"These are Israel's economic waters, and they lie beyond our territorial waters. Legal counsel has scrutinized the deal and let it move forward, so I don't believe these allegations are anything but political gimmickry."
Q: Do you think former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is behind the effort to derail the talks?
"All of his attacks are politically motivated. But the talks are not about Right or Left; this is an economic and national security matter".
Gantz stressed that the deal has been in the works for years and that the talks started under Netanyahu. Gantz vowed that the emerging agreement's main provisions would be presented to the public "in one form or another" if it gets signed. Gantz cautioned that "we cannot present them while the talks are still ongoing." All in all, Gantz says the deal will add to Israel's deterrence and in the long run, it may reduce Lebanon's dependency on Iran. .
Gantz, who has been defense minister for the past two years, also talked about the latest uptick in violence in Judea and Samaria, but said this is mainly the work of local terrorist cells who engage in their own provocations.
Q: Do you see Israel launching another Operation Defense Shield in northern Samaria?
"Those who advocate this don't have a clue what Defensive Shield means or what the situation on the ground is and just blurt out slogans."
Q: What about your meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas?
"I will talk with whomever I can, and fight anyone I have to"
Q: Hosting him in your home is not like having him come to your office.
"I was at his place and he was at mine. Why is that such a big deal? It's not as if I hosted him for Shabbat dinner."
Gantz was also asked about the recent revelation that in 2020 he and Defense Ministry Director General Amir Eshel derailed the implementation of a key provision in the Trump administration peace plan: the application of Israeli law on settlements in Judea and Samaria.
Q: Is that story correct?
"Yes. Had we not stopped the annexation, the [talks on the] Abraham Accords would have ground to a halt. Such a step would have been over the top as far as the Arab states are concerned. On top of that, annexing millions of Palestinians is not something we need. We need to reach an arrangement with the Palestinians; we cannot reach a permanent status agreement in the foreseeable future, and that is why we have to reduce the conflict by developing infrastructure, the economy, and the Jewish settlement enterprise."
Q: What about expanding the Abraham Accords? Saudi Arabia?
"Without being specific, I believe that if I am elected [as prime minister] I would be able to move things forward."
Q: Will a nuclear deal be reached with Iran?
"The deal is not dead, but it is not moving forward. Our opposition is clear. The discourse with the US is also known. The deal is not good. It has all the faults of the previous deal but a shorter period of implementation. We have to exert our influence as much as possible. Iran is a global challenge."
Q: Netanyahu neglected this issue as prime minister?
"There were a few years with a budget shortfall on this."
Q: What if there is no deal?
"Iran could decide that it moves forward along the path of enrichment. I will not react with hysteria to any development. The state of Israel is the strongest country in the Middle East; we have answers to everything."
Asked about the prospects of leading a new government, Gantz says he would rule out some extremists, but is willing to consider a coalition with the Ra'am Arab party.
Q: What will your government look like?
"I know who won't be part of it: Itamar Ben-Gvir [the head of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party] and the Joint Arab List [whose members are running as separate parties]. I will do everything to make sure the government will be as inclusive and stately as possible, without relying on the fringes."
Q: So you will include Ra'am?
"Only if they do not hold the balance of power."
Q: As we head to Yom Kippur, who should ask you for forgiveness?
"If they don't know, then I don't think that having me reminding them would make my forgiveness worth it."
Q: Should Netanyahu ask you for forgiveness?
"He should ask the entire state of Israel for forgiveness. He should have prevented early elections; he should have preserved the unity government and passed a budget; he should have maintained stability, but he didn't."
Q: From whom do you think you need to ask for forgiveness?
"I don't think I hurt someone on purpose. But the treatment of wounded IDF veterans has not addressed their rehabilitation to the degree needed, and is too focused on resources. We are trying to fix that."
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