Israeli War Cabinet Rift: Gallant, Gantz Challenge Netanyahu on Gaza, Conscription Policies
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing significant opposition from within his own war cabinet over his post-war plans for Gaza and contentious legislation to conscript ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the military. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz, both key figures in the war cabinet, have openly defied Netanyahu’s recent initiatives, raising questions about his leadership.
Gallant called on Netanyahu to publicly rule out Israeli governance over Gaza and to outline a clear postwar strategy. “The ‘day after Hamas’ will only be achieved with Palestinian entities taking control of Gaza, accompanied by international actors, establishing a governing alternative to Hamas’ rule,” Gallant said during a news conference. He warned against establishing Israeli civilian or military control over Gaza, citing potential heavy tolls in “bloodshed and victims, as well as a heavy economic price.”
Netanyahu appeared to counter Gallant’s remarks, asserting that neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority would be acceptable to govern Gaza. “I’m not willing to replace Hamastan with Fatahstan,” Netanyahu said, referring to Fatah, the political party that dominates the Palestinian Authority.
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The clash between Gallant and Netanyahu sparked a political firestorm, with right-wing lawmakers condemning Gallant and some urging his removal. Gantz supported Gallant’s stance, stating that he was “speaking the truth.” The public disagreement follows calls from US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, for Israel to produce a clear plan for postwar Gaza. Blinken emphasized the need for a strategy to avoid “anarchy and a vacuum that’s likely to be filled by chaos.”
In a separate but equally contentious issue, Netanyahu announced plans to advance legislation to conscript ultra-Orthodox Jews into the army. This legislation, prepared in 2022 by Gantz, aims to enlist the majority of Haredi men while allowing them to continue their religious studies. Gantz, now a minister without portfolio, has called on Netanyahu to shelve the legislation, arguing it is no longer relevant after Hamas’ October 7 attacks. “The State of Israel needs soldiers, not political tricks that tear apart the people during war,” Gantz said.
The Israeli High Court of Justice gave the government a two-week reprieve to present its conscription plan, which expires today. Haredi political leaders have threatened to leave the governing coalition if conscription is imposed. Defense Minister Gallant has stated he will not support any proposals not backed by Gantz or Gadi Eisenkot, another war cabinet member.
Ultra-Orthodox men studying in yeshivot (religious seminaries) have historically enjoyed open-ended deferrals from the military service that is compulsory for other Jewish Israeli men. With the Haredi community growing rapidly, debates about sharing the burden of military service have intensified.
