Benny Gantz Warns of Rising Hatred Toward Haredim and Calls Netanyahu’s Iran Policy a Failure

Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz gave a wide-ranging interview to Yishai Cohen on the Kikar Hashabbat studio, sharply attacking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the emerging US-Iran understanding, addressing police violence during protests on Highway 4, and warning Haredi leaders that hostility toward the ultra-Orthodox is growing. He also said he is not worried about his political future despite polls showing his party near the electoral threshold.

On the Iran issue, Gantz said Israel must judge any deal by whether it limits Tehran’s nuclear program and preserves Israeli freedom of action. “After October 7, there is a new reality, we are no longer prepared to let a threat build against us and wait for it to explode,” he said, adding that the agreement would be “a failure of Netanyahu” because he should have worked with US President Donald Trump to stop it from forming.

Turning to the Haredi enlistment crisis and the protests on Highway 4, Gantz criticized the police for using too much force against civilians, saying law enforcement should use “the minimum force possible.” At the same time, he warned religious leaders, “There is hatred developing toward the Haredim,” and said society cannot be divided off from the general public. He stressed that he supports military service and sanctions against draft dodgers, comparing it to his own son receiving a draft notice.

Gantz said he understands the sensitivity but will not give up on penalties, and he argued that enlistment is necessary “for the state and right for society.” On the polls, he said Blue and White is in bad shape but will cross the threshold and grow stronger. He said his goal is a national unity government, insisted that “Netanyahu must finish his term,” and rejected the idea that Israel is a “kingship.” Asked whether Gadi Eisenkot or Naftali Bennett is better suited to be prime minister, he declined to answer.