Gantz attacks former ally Eisenkot over opposition leadership battle

In a tense interview on Saturday night’s "Meet the Press," Benny Gantz widened the rift between him and fellow Knesset member Gadi Eisenkot as the struggle for the leadership of the center-left and the opposition intensifies. Gantz said their disagreement is not tactical but ideological, centered on how to shape Israeli politics and society after the election.

Gantz accused Eisenkot of seeking to defeat the other political camp rather than reach agreement. "Eisenkot wants to defeat the other camp, and he will go with the Arab parties to achieve that," Gantz said. He also rejected the suggestion that it was a mistake not to let Eisenkot lead the former joint Blue and White list.

"That was not a mistake, precisely because of that reason, he wants a decision, not agreement," Gantz said. He added that while he still holds Eisenkot in high regard, their political paths have fully diverged. "I respect him very much, but we are now in two completely different directions," Gantz said.

Gantz used the interview to outline his own approach ahead of government formation, rejecting boycotts and calling for broad consensus. "I am looking for broad agreement among the people, while he is looking for one side to prevail," he said. "What the people of Israel need at this time is to establish a broad Zionist unity government."