Israeli PM Netanyahu disbands war cabinet
WORLD 17 June 2024 - 16:42
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved his war cabinet.
The announcement was made by an Israeli official in conversation with CNN on June 11, just over a week after opposition leader Benny Gantz withdrew from the body.
Decision-making will now move back to the government’s main security cabinet, the Israeli official said, claiming Netanyahu “will hold smaller forums on sensitive matters.”
The war cabinet, set up five days after the Hamas-led terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, had five members: Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, opposition leader Benny Gantz, and two “observers,” Ron Dermer and Gadi Eisenkot.
But Gantz – seen as Netanyahu’s most formidable political opponent – announced his “complex and painful” decision to withdraw from the cabinet last week, citing Netanyahu’s failure to devise a strategy for the conflict in Gaza and the future governance of the Strip.
“Netanyahu prevents us from moving forward to a real victory [in Gaza],” Gantz said June 9.
He accused Netanyahu of putting his own personal political considerations ahead of a post-war strategy for the Gaza Strip, claiming that “fateful strategic decisions are met with hesitancy and procrastination due to political considerations,” and urged the prime minister to hold an election in the coming months.
“I call on Netanyahu: set an agreed election date. Do not let our people be torn apart,” Gantz said.
In April, Gantz called for early elections to be held as soon as September, ahead of the one-year anniversary of the war, saying “Israeli society needs to renew its contract with its leadership.” The month before, he had traveled to Washington, DC, to meet with US Vice President Kamala Harris in a trip not sanctioned by the Israeli government.
Gantz often surpasses the prime minister in popularity, according to opinion polls. A survey published on June 14 by the Israeli Maariv newspaper showed support for Gantz at 42 per cent, compared to 34 per cent for Netanyahu.
Gantz’s resignation sparked calls from far-right members in Netanyahu’s governing coalition, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, to join the war cabinet. Both men were earlier pointedly excluded from the cabinet at Gantz’s behest.
By dismantling the cabinet, Netanyahu may have avoided having to accede to Ben-Gvir’s calls to join the cabinet, which could have further strained Israel’s relations with the United States, or having to reject his demands, which could have angered the more extreme wing of Netanyahu’s coalition.
Another interpretation is that without Gantz – and Eisenkot who also resigned – in it, there was no longer any point in keeping the war cabinet going. Instead, an Israeli official tells CNN, Netanyahu will in future hold smaller forums to discuss sensitive matters relating to the war with Hamas. It’s unclear whether Ben-Gvir will be excluded from these as well.
Caliber.Az
1
|
Armenian special forces' bold move Confiscation sparks political backlash
24 June 2024 - 17:07
|
2
|
Armenia’s military build-up & western alignments risk renewed conflict Baku warns Yerevan
23 June 2024 - 11:39
|
3
|
Steering through tangled web of conflict & peace between Azerbaijan & Armenia High time to do away with a vicious circle
23 June 2024 - 09:17
|
4
|
Armenia's truce violations amid rising tensions & strategic weapons deals with France Those who ignore history are bound to repeat it
23 June 2024 - 15:31
|
5
|
Why does Russia want to recognize the Taliban government? Graveyard of empires
25 June 2024 - 12:36
|
NATO headquarters marks Azerbaijan Armed Forces Day in Brussels
26 June 2024 - 17:36
Einstein letter warning Roosevelt of threat of Nazi nuclear bomb set to fetch $4 million
26 June 2024 - 17:24
Türkiye claims unrestricted media access in Ukrainian conflict zone
26 June 2024 - 17:12
Suspected North Korean hypersonic missile explodes in mid-flight
26 June 2024 - 17:00
NATO secretary general wishes success to his successor
26 June 2024 - 16:48
Turkish leader to meet new NATO secretary general in Washington
26 June 2024 - 16:36
Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan strengthen rail cooperation across Caspian
Review by Caliber.Az26 June 2024 - 16:24
Azerbaijani FM to discuss bilateral cooperation issues in Georgia
26 June 2024 - 16:12
Azerbaijan's Defence Minister hosts Italian counterpart for strategic talks
PHOTO/VIDEO26 June 2024 - 16:00
"Pride" and armament
Can Yerevan be trusted?26 June 2024 - 15:48
Western Azerbaijan Community responds to UN High Commissioner's biased statement
26 June 2024 - 15:33
Azerbaijani President receives delegation led by Italian defence minister
PHOTO26 June 2024 - 15:18
Kenya starts clearing debris after protests
26 June 2024 - 15:03
Pashinyan, his Parisian boss have no interest in peace with Azerbaijan
Expert opinions26 June 2024 - 14:48
Türkiye's new combat drone achieves highest altitude milestone
26 June 2024 - 14:34
Japanese PM to visit Kazakhstan in August
26 June 2024 - 14:20
President Aliyev receives Italian-made military transport aircraft C-27J Spartan
UPDATED / PHOTO26 June 2024 - 14:12
Iran demands immediate withdrawal of US troops from Syria
26 June 2024 - 14:07
WSJ: US constrained in imposing sanctions on Russia and Iran
26 June 2024 - 13:45
Ukrainian presidential office refutes plan of Trump’s advisers on settlement
26 June 2024 - 13:32
Mark Rutte confirmed as next NATO Secretary General
26 June 2024 - 13:20
Azerbaijani FM congratulates military personnel on holiday
26 June 2024 - 13:07
Bloomberg: Even Macron’s closest allies fear his brand is toxic
26 June 2024 - 12:55
Azerbaijani people proud of army
Caliber.Az describes combat path of Azerbaijani Armed Forces26 June 2024 - 12:43
Security chief: Armenia's future relations with Russia hinge on Moscow's position
26 June 2024 - 12:31
Presidential aide: Diplomacy without military strength akin to music without instruments
26 June 2024 - 12:17
Turkish authorities disrupt international drug cartel in Spain
26 June 2024 - 11:52
Azerbaijan's Air Force: Guardians of the nation's skies
PHOTO26 June 2024 - 11:40
Julian Assange pleads guilty for leaking America's national secrets
Banned from returning to US without permission26 June 2024 - 11:28
Armenia receives tenth package of proposals from Azerbaijan
26 June 2024 - 11:16
Israel accuses UN of keeping food at warehouses in Gaza
26 June 2024 - 11:04
German Bundeswehr set to secure massive munitions production contract
26 June 2024 - 10:53
Pentagon ex-advisor warns US of losing NATO ally
26 June 2024 - 10:40
Russian FM: BRICS to suspend admitting new members
26 June 2024 - 10:27
Former Swiss president elected Council of Europe chief
26 June 2024 - 10:15
Russia, Ukraine each return 90 prisoners of war
26 June 2024 - 10:02
Azerbaijan gained victory over Armenia in anti-terrorist operation rapidly, minister says
26 June 2024 - 09:50
SOCAR, Germany's VNG ink MoU for natural gas & renewable energy co-op
26 June 2024 - 09:38
Azerbaijan celebrates 106th anniversary of Armed Forces
26 June 2024 - 09:22
Azerbaijan confirms identities of 20 missing Individuals from First Karabakh War
26 June 2024 - 09:10