In a somber announcement on Sunday evening, Benny Gantz, chairman of the State Party and member of the War Cabinet, declared that he and his party are withdrawing from the coalition government that was formed after the Oct. 7 massacare. Among other things, he said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "is preventing us from advancing towards true victory, which is the justification for the painful and prolonged cost."
"To ensure a true victory, it is fitting that in the fall, a year after the disaster, we hold elections after which a government that will gain the people's trust and can face the challenges will be formed. I call on Netanyahu: set an agreed election date. Don't let our people be torn apart."
The minister also called on "Knesset members in the coalition who understand where we are heading" to heed their conscience. Gantz personally addressed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: "Yoav, we have known each other for many years. Even when there were tensions between us, I always respected and appreciated you. In this war – I learned to appreciate you even more. You are a brave and determined leader and above all - a patriot. At this time, leadership and courage are not just saying what is right – but doing what is right."
"After October 7, as hundreds of thousands of Israelis did, we stepped up to the plate. We did this despite and because we knew it was a bad government. The people of Israel, the fighters, the commanders, the families of those murdered, fallen, and kidnapped – needed unity and backing, like air to breathe.
"Therefore, we formed an emergency government out of shared fate, not out of political partnership. Months after the October calamity, the situation in the country and in the decision-making room has changed. Netanyahu and his partners have turned unity into an impassioned call – without basis in reality. Fateful strategic decisions are met with hesitation and procrastination due to political considerations. Honestly, entering the government was a simple decision. Leaving, when our hostages are in Hamas tunnels, when residents of the north are far from their homes, and thousands of fighters are at the front – this is a complex and agonizing decision. Both decisions have one common denominator: the good of the State of Israel.
"We tried to influence the direction of the ship in closed rooms. The truth is: the reality is not simple – the campaign will last for years. I won't promise you an easy and quick victory. You deserve more than empty promises. But the State of Israel needs and can achieve a true victory. True victory puts bringing the hostages home above survival in power. Unfortunately, Netanyahu is preventing us from advancing towards true victory, which is the justification for the painful and prolonged cost.
"We must also establish a state commission of inquiry that will examine the internal failures and defend us against the hypocritical attacks from outside. I call on all party leaders and all forces in the public arena, from Right and Left, religious and secular, to unite behind me in this journey. We all need to act as one for elections after which we will form a unity government – Zionist, national, and stately – a true unity government.
"There are those who say that we helped Netanyahu when we entered the government – he is not the issue – but the State of Israel. I know they say I'm not a deceiver, hater, and unscrupulous like my opponents. True, but I can promise you one thing - I'm willing to die for your children.
In a somber announcement on Sunday evening, Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity Party and member of the war cabinet, declared that he and his party are withdrawing from the coalition government. Among other things, he said that Prime Minister Netanyahu "is preventing us from advancing towards true victory, which is the justification for the painful and prolonged cost."
