Gantz: Netanyahu will hurt Israel and his legacy if he leaves ‘scorched earth’

Defense Minister Benny Gantz urges Prime Minister Netanyahu to stop seeking to prevent the formation of the “change government” that the premier’s rivals have joined forces to establish.

“If Netanyahu decides to leave scorched earth, he will harm his legacy and the country,” Gantz tells a faction meeting of his Blue and White party. “I call on him from here to accept the democratic results and respect the process.”

Gantz also says, “I could have been prime minister for the next 2 and a half years in the wink of an eye [if I’d partnered again with Netanyahu]. I chose not to do this in order to enable the establishment of the change government, and I will continue to work on that.”

New Hope leader Gideon Sa’ar tells his faction meeting: “I repeatedly said in the election campaign… that anyone who wants Netanyahu to stay on, please don’t vote for me… We are doing exactly what we promised the electorate: advancing change.”