Gantz Launches Political Attack Against Former Allies
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Benny Gantz, chairman of National Unity, has launched a political offensive against former allies, accusing them of plotting to form a government with Arab parties. Gantz claims Avigdor Lieberman and Gadi Eisenkot are central to these alleged plans, which he views as a "disaster." While Gantz's associates frame his actions as a warning, political rivals suggest it's a revenge campaign after his marginalization, with some alleging coordination with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Benny Gantz is attacking former allies, accusing them of plotting to form a government with Arab parties.
- Gantz specifically targets Avigdor Lieberman and Gadi Eisenkot in his accusations.
- Political rivals suggest Gantz's campaign is revenge for being sidelined.
- Some opposition figures claim Gantz is coordinating with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
- Lieberman denies the accusations and suggests Gantz is aiding Netanyahu.
- Gantz's associates state his actions are a warning against a dangerous minority government.
Benny Gantz, chairman of National Unity, is reportedly engaged in a calculated revenge campaign against former partners who he feels abandoned him. Political sources attribute Gantz's recent series of accusations and attacks to his marginalization after the dissolution of the Joint List and his exclusion from the political spotlight. His campaign aims to expose what he calls "the truth about the plans of former partners."
Central to Gantz's accusations are Avigdor Lieberman and Gadi Eisenkot. Gantz has claimed that Lieberman and Naftali Bennett would form a government with Arab parties and seek the premiership for Eisenkot. He has also alleged that Lieberman plotted to oust Eisenkot and form a narrow government with Ahmed Tibi, calling it a "disaster" that must be stopped. Gantz further referenced events from 2020, stating Lieberman was a key proponent of a government relying on the Joint List.
Adding another layer to his claims, Gantz stated that despite denials, he is aware of ongoing contacts between Eisenkot and Arab parties. These actions are seen by some in the political system as an attempt to prevent others from forming a government if he himself fails to pass the electoral threshold. There are also reports suggesting a covert coordination between Gantz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with one senior figure in the opposition camp claiming Gantz has allied with Netanyahu to thwart the formation of the next coalition.
Lieberman has dismissed Gantz's accusations, personally attacking him and suggesting Gantz is helping Netanyahu "save Bibi." The Likud party, meanwhile, has quickly adopted Gantz's statements. Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a statement asserting that Gantz is revealing the truth about Lieberman's past and present desire to form a government with the Balad party, part of the Joint List.
Sources in the political system view the timing of Gantz's campaign as strategic. With his former allies, including Bennett, Lieberman, Eisenkot, and Yair Golan, urging him to withdraw from the political race, Gantz has chosen to retaliate and exact a political price. However, Gantz's associates deny these claims of revenge, insisting his actions are a genuine warning against the formation of a dangerous minority government reliant on Arab parties.
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