Democrats Attack Benny Gantz Over Past Netanyahu Support and Judicial Disobedience

The political conflict between Yair Golan, leader of the Democratic Party, and Benny Gantz, head of Blue and White, has intensified. Following exchanges of barbs in faction meetings and TV interviews, the Democrats released a focused video criticizing Gantz for previously joining Netanyahu's government multiple times and effectively "saving him." The Democrats argue that Gantz's refusal to rule out Netanyahu implies willingness to cooperate with ministers like Kara'i, Levin, and MK Gottlieb, who currently advocate disobeying Supreme Court rulings.

The Democrats are leveraging the recent government decision to defy a Supreme Court ruling regarding the Second Authority to clearly differentiate themselves as the only faction in the bloc drawing a firm red line. They demand that none of the coalition partners from the October 7 government participate in the next government and impose a strict veto on anyone violating judicial decisions. Party sources told Walla, "It's not just 'not with Bibi,' it's everyone. No sitting with the corrupt Likud, the shirkers, or the nationalist extremists. Anyone willing to trample the law to save Netanyahu is disqualified from the government of rehabilitation and change."

At a faction meeting, Yair Golan called on all opposition leaders to publicly and unequivocally commit that no minister or MK who supports violating Supreme Court rulings will join the next coalition. A party source intensified the personal attack, saying, "On October 7, Yair Golan woke up and went to the Gaza border to save; Gantz woke up and ran to save Netanyahu. Golan's way is to save Israel, Gantz's way is to save Netanyahu."

In response to Golan's campaign, Gantz stated, "Yair, the difference between you and me is simple: you work to ignite a civil war, and I act to prevent it. Your greatest fear is that a broad Zionist government will form without room for your extreme views and the hatred you spread." He added, "Understand this, we will form a government that does not depend on Tibi or Goldenknopf, a government that unites the people, removes extremists from decision-making centers, and puts the country's welfare above all."

This escalating dispute highlights the deep divisions within the Israeli opposition ahead of forming a new government, focusing on issues of judicial authority, coalition composition, and approaches to Netanyahu's political legacy.