Israeli opposition leader and former Cabinet member Benny Gantz is pushing for fresh elections this autumn amidst internal turmoil in Israel amid the ongoing conflict with Palestinian militant group Hamas.
In a video message, Gantz emphasized the seen challenges Israel is facing and stressed the importance of unity, both domestically and with allies like the U.S. He criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not prioritizing the families of around 100 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, stating that these families need assurance that Israeli society stands with them.
Gantz called for elections in September, which would mark an important challenge to Netanyahu’s government. He indicated that discussions had been initiated with Israeli political leaders regarding the timing of the elections and expressed readiness to continue dialogue with Netanyahu.
Israeli opposition leader Gantz (Credits: The Times of Israel)
According to Gantz, holding elections would foster trust and unity within Israel and garner much-needed international support. Despite scheduled elections not being due until 2026, Israel’s parliamentary system allows for snap elections to be called to form a new government.
Gantz’s call for elections follows recent protests in Israel, the largest since the conflict began, where demonstrators expressed frustration over the government’s failure to secure a ceasefire with Hamas and free the remaining hostages in Gaza. These protests highlighted growing discontent with Netanyahu’s leadership.
Netanyahu’s handling of the Gaza situation has also drawn criticism from the Biden administration, particularly concerning civilian casualties and the lack of progress toward peace. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer previously called for new elections in Israel, echoing concerns about Netanyahu’s approach.
Israeli minister Benny Gantz (Credits: Semafor)
The Israeli public remains deeply concerned about the fate of the hostages in Gaza, with efforts to secure their release and reach a ceasefire proving unsuccessful since the last temporary agreement in November. Gantz emphasized the need to address the events of October 7th, highlighting the urgency of holding new elections.
Gantz’s call for elections reflects the growing discontent within Israel over the government’s handling of the conflict with Hamas and the plight of the hostages in Gaza. It represents a well-known challenge to Netanyahu’s leadership and aims to address the country’s pressing issues.
