MK Gilad Kariv Supports Mansour Abbas as Health Minister, Criticizes Benny Gantz's Political Failures

MK Gilad Kariv, a candidate in the Democratic Party primaries, expressed in a Thursday interview with Walla News his support for Mansour Abbas to serve as Israel's health minister. Kariv described Abbas as a courageous and significant leader representing two million Arab citizens in Israel and expressed a desire to see him included in the coalition government.

Kariv also sharply criticized Benny Gantz, urging him to retire from Israeli politics. He said Gantz, despite being a respected former IDF Chief of Staff with good intentions, has repeatedly failed. Kariv condemned Gantz for breaking commitments by joining a government with Benjamin Netanyahu, which Kariv said led to negative outcomes. He accused Netanyahu of humiliating Gantz politically and criticized Gantz's continued cooperation with Netanyahu even after the October 7 attacks, despite concerns over Netanyahu's risky military strategies.

Kariv recalled voting in favor of Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot joining the government initially but lamented their prolonged stay despite Netanyahu's gamble with hostages' lives and lack of strategic military planning. Kariv warned against Gantz attempting a third political comeback, stating Netanyahu continually manipulates him. Separately, Shlomo Filber expressed skepticism about Abbas becoming health minister, saying "it will not happen."