Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has heeded the calls of his far-right coalition allies, revealing his decision to establish a new war cabinet during a political-security cabinet meeting.
This decision was made to address the void left by the departure of Benny Gantz, the former defense minister and leader of a more moderate faction, from the emergency government, according to Al Jazera.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, representatives of the nationalist-religious camp in the Israeli government, have pushed for the formation of a new war cabinet composed of coalition party leaders.
Following Gantz’s resignation from the country’s emergency government, he was slammed by Netanyahu.
Gantz’s resignation on Sunday, June 9 came amid the ongoing war with Palestine militant group, Hamas.
Gantz announced his resignation from the emergency government, citing fundamental differences in the strategic approach and claiming that the Prime Minister “prevents us from reaching true victory” in the war on Gaza.
Reacting to Gantz’s resignation, Netanyahu in a post on X (formerly Twitter) said “now is not the time for Gantz to abandon the war, noting that the country is in an existential war on several fronts and it is time to combine forces”.
The Prime Minister in the post written in Hebrew said, “A few hours ago the entire State of Israel mourned and saluted the late Hero of Israel, Arnon Zamora.
“Israel is in an existential war on several fronts. My son, this is not the time to abandon the campaign – this is the time to join forces.
“Citizens of Israel, we will continue until victory and the achievement of all the goals of the war, primarily the release of all our hostages and the elimination of Hamas.”
He added, “My door will remain open to any Zionist party that is ready to get under the stretcher and assist in bringing victory over our enemies and ensuring the safety of our citizens”.