Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet is at risk of falling apart as the country’s defence establishment turns on him. Last night, Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity party and a member of Netanyahu’s coalition, issued the Prime Minister with an ultimatum. In an extremely critical speech, Gantz blamed Netanyahu for letting personal interests interfere with decisions of national security and allowing a group of extremists to take the helm.
Gantz’s ultimatum includes six demands: the return of the hostages held by Hamas; the destruction of Hamas and the demilitarisation of Gaza; replacing Hamas’s rule with an alternative government; allowing civilians from Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, who were evacuated from their homes months ago, to return to their homes by 1 September (the start of the school year); progress on normalising relations with Saudi Arabia; and passing a law that will force Orthodox Jews to do national service.
If Gantz, Eisenkot and Gallant resign, the government will be left with members who are ill-equipped to run a war
If the demands are not met, Gantz warned that he would withdraw from the coalition.
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