Gantz: Israel in its toughest hour, our partnership will help secure victory

National Union head Benny Gantz, joining the emergency government as a minister, says residents of the south have suffered unthinkable horrors and praises their heroism.

This is one of the toughest hours Israel has ever known, he says. “Our friends, our families, have been murdered and abducted” by an enemy that must be wiped out.

The new emergency government is a message to Israel’s enemies, and to the Israeli people, that everyone is united and fighting together, he says.

He tells Israelis who feel they no longer have security: “I understand the fear, I understand the pain, and I have no words of comfort. But he says “Israel is the strongest state in the region and has the strongest army,” with the best people — exemplified by youngsters flying home to join in the fight for its defense.

“We will win, and change the security and strategic reality in the region.”

Gantz says his party’s new partnership with the Netanyahu coalition “is not political; it’s a partnership for our fate.”

He says he and his party will stand firmly with Netanyahu and Gallant in the battle.

“We are all soldiers of the State of Israel.”

He hopes other coalition parties will also join the emergency government.

He promises to do everything possible to return the hostages from Gaza.

“The enemy will be destroyed. Security will be restored. The killing grounds where our heroes fell will be rebuilt. The entire State of Israel will thrive again,” Gantz promises.

“There’s a time for peace and a time for war; now is the time for war,” he says.