From the Liveblog of
Monday, May 20, 2024
Communications minister accuses Gallant of being a proxy for Gantz
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi accuses Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of representing the interests of National Unity leader Benny Gantz.
In an interview with Army Radio, Karhi says that his fellow Likud minister is “Gantz’s proxy; politically he understands that his career is finished.”
Last Thursday, Gallant went on television to directly challenge Netanyahu’s handling of the ongoing conflict in Gaza — sparking a very public spat with the prime minister and triggering the biggest threat to the stability of the government since the start of the war.
Two days later, Gantz issued an ultimatum to Netanyahu, threatening to withdraw from the coalition unless the premier commits to an agreed-upon vision for the Gaza conflict by June 8.
Alongside Netanyahu, Gantz and Gallant comprise the two other voting members of the war cabinet.
