Gantz doubles down on plea to form unity government with Netanyahu despite opposition leaders rejecting the idea

National Unity-Blue and White chair Benny Gantz is doubling down on his call for a unity government, even as nearly every major opposition party has rejected the idea.

In a post on X, Gantz says that “military pressure has proven itself” and that the “conditions have been created for the return of all the hostages,” and inquires whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “the courage to make a decision.”

He says that the opposition party leaders and the “Zionist forces” are required to “act immediately to establish a government for the redemption of the hostages and enlistment for all,” — the two main demands he laid out in his appeal to merge forces.

“This is the most urgent matter for the State of Israel,” he stresses.

The remarks follow his Saturday evening press conference, in which he urged Netanyahu, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, and Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman to form a unity government with a six-month mandate to focus on securing the hostages’ release and advancing legislation on ultra-Orthodox enlistment in the military.

He also called on Netanyahu to cut ties with far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who have threatened to topple the coalition if the prime minister agrees to a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

Opposition leaders have dismissed his proposal for a “government of hostage redemption” as “pitiful,” insisting there is “no reason” to join Netanyahu’s coalition.