From Gantz rebuffs calls for unity government, says it can only come about through elections
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"
National Unity chairman and former war cabinet minister Benny Gantz rebuffs calls for a unity government during a speech in the Knesset plenum.
“No one will suspect me of being against unity but I look at what is happening here” and see the government attempting to stymie military service for the ultra-Orthodox while creating a “discourse of hatred” against the army’s leadership, hostages and demonstrators, he says.
“Then I hear people I really appreciate in the coalition talking to me about unity. What are you talking about?” he asks.
“Unity is expressed in actions, and not in the swearing-in of a few more ministers to the government,” Gantz continues. “After a year of the war, it’s time to go to elections, let the people have their say, and establish a government of national consensus that will truly bring unity, trust and real victory in the war.”
Gantz’s comments come after MK Matan Kahana, a member of his centrist party, welcomed Immigration and Absorption Minister Ofir Sofer’s (Religious Zionism) call for a unity government yesterday.
Sofer’s statement followed widespread reports that the ultra-Orthodox Shas party is pushing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bring opposition parties into the coalition to dilute the influence of far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
