Gantz: Gaza fighting will have no impact on efforts to form government

Blue and White chair Benny Gantz says the escalation in Gaza will not affect his ongoing negotiations to form a coalition.

“This action will have no effect on the political processes taking place,” Gantz says in a statement supporting the Israel’s early-morning airstrike killing a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander in the Gaza Strip.

“The terrorist Abu Al-Ata who was killed tonight was destined for death. Just like Hamas chief of staff Ahmed Jabari, just like any terrorist who commits murderous acts against Israeli citizens,” Gantz says. “For the sake of Israel’s security, the political and security echelons often have to make tough decisions, while assessing their price. Such was the decision on the night’s operation on which I was updated in advance. This is an operational and policy decision.”

He adds: “I would like to emphasize: Blue and White, headed by me, will always put citizens’ safety before anything else.”

— Raoul Wootliff