![Israel: Netanyahu dependent on the far-right after the resignation of centrist ministers Israel: Netanyahu dependent on the far-right after the resignation of centrist ministers](https://media.lesechos.com/api/v1/images/view/66670bc696da550ccf38a6bf/1280x720/01101783423217-web-tete.jpg)
Benyamin Netanyahu has lost his centrist support and finds himself more dependent than ever on the far-right parties of his majority. Benny Gantz, a former chief of staff, presented his resignation on Sunday evening along with those of two other members of his party. His judgment is final. He accused the Prime Minister of “hindering any progress towards real victory” in the war in Gaza and called for early elections this fall.
Benny Gantz had agreed to join a “national emergency” government a few days after the October 7 massacres committed by Hamas in southern Israel, in the name of national unity. A place of choice had been offered to him as well as to Gadi Eisenkot, another former chief of staff within the war cabinet which manages the daily fighting. This rallying desired by the majority of Israelis, according to polls, initially made it possible to boost Benny Gantz’s popularity rating. But tensions increased to the point of causing a divorce.
Biden plan
Among the points of disagreement is the three-step plan recently presented by Joe Biden providing for a six-week ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of 120 hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians detained by Israel. Important detail: this plan revealed by the American president had been accepted in secret by the war cabinet.
Despite everything, Benjamin Netanyahu increased his reservations about its content, while Benny Gantz gave him unreserved support. The latter also demanded that the Prime Minister present a plan for the post-war once the power of Hamas is eradicated. Benjamin Netanyahu refused, explaining that this strategic question could only be resolved once Hamas was “eradicated”.
Benny Gantz also clearly suggested that most of Benjamin Netanyahu’s decisions obey “political considerations”, in other words to ensure his maintenance in power and avoid, for example, that a commission of inquiry calls into question the direct responsibility of the Prime Minister. minister in the October 7 fiasco when Hamas commandos took the Israeli army and intelligence services completely by surprise.
Survive
It now remains to be seen whether the government can survive. Benjamin Netanyahu continues to have a majority of 64 deputies out of 120. But he is now increasingly at the mercy of Itamar Ben Gvir, Minister of National Security in charge of the police and Bezalel Smotrich, Minister of Finance , leaders of two far-right parties whose support is vital to him. Itamar Ben Gvir has already demanded a place in the war cabinet. According to commentators, Benjamin Netanyahu, aware of the devastating effect that such a promotion could have in the world, should dissolve this cabinet and make military decisions in small committees.
In fact, the main danger for him could come from another explosive issue relating to the conscription of ultra-Orthodox youth, who are exempt from military service. The two religious parties in the coalition threatened to bring down the government if a law was passed requiring students of Yeshivot, Talmudic seminaries, to wear uniforms. However, Yoav Gallant, the Minister of Defense, and other members of Likud, Benjamin Netanyahu’s party, are in favor of such a text in order to deal with a shortage of personnel in the army, which could cause a real crisis.
On the international front, the resignation of Benny Gantz, who was supposed to have a moderating influence within the war cabinet, does not facilitate the task of Antony Blinken, the American Secretary of State who arrived in Israel on Monday for the eighth time since start of the war to try to get negotiations on a ceasefire out of the rut. According to the American channel NBC, failing to achieve this, the United States could be satisfied with obtaining the release of five hostages of American nationality.