From the Liveblog of
Monday, May 12, 2025
Gantz: Israel must fall in line with US plans for Middle East or risk being left behind
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"
Israel must get on board with American plans for the Middle East or be left behind, National Unity chairman Benny Gantz declares during his party’s weekly faction meeting in the Knesset.
Like other opposition politicians, Gantz welcomes the pending release of hostage Edan Alexander following American intervention, but decries the fact that Israel has not taken proactive steps to free the rest of those held by Hamas.
In a direct appeal to Netanyahu, Gantz calls on the prime minister not to “put preserving the coalition above preserving Israel’s security and solidarity in Israeli society.”
“Hamas has its back against the wall, and it is time to bring about a plan that will return all the hostages, ensure the demilitarization of the Strip and bring about the replacement of the Hamas regime,” he declares.
Turning to US policy in the Middle East, Gantz states that “the American administration is determined to promote normalization with Saudi Arabia and other large and significant countries in the region.”
“Either we complete a strategic transformation, strengthen the axis against Iran, destroy its military nuclear capability and become part of a vast comprehensive political move led by the United States in the region, or we will be left behind,” he says. “The opportunity to change the Middle East must not be missed because of political considerations.”
The Times of Israel Community.