Israeli Minister Calls for Snap Elections
Israeli minister Benny Gantz, a member of the war cabinet and foremost rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Wednesday called for snap parliamentary elections in September.
Pressure on Netanyahu
Netanyahu faces pressure from several sides, including protests demanding boosted efforts to secure the release of hostages taken in Hamas’ October 7 attack that sparked war in Gaza.
Gantz’s Proposal
“We must set a consensual date for the month of September, or if you prefer for the first anniversary of the war,” said Gantz, who is also a lawmaker, in a speech from his office in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset.
Protests and Reactions
Israeli anti-government rallyists attend a four-day sit-in near the parliament in Jerusalem on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, calling for the dissolution of the government and the return of Israelis held hostage in Gaza. Netanyahu’s Likud party rejected the call, but it was welcomed by the leader of the US Senate, who last month urged new elections in a strident criticism of Netanyahu’s handling of the war.
Support for Early Elections
“When a leading member of Israel’s war cabinet calls for early elections and over 70 percent of the Israeli population agrees according to a major poll, you know it’s the right thing to do,” Sen. Chuck Schumer wrote on X.
Challenges and Opposition
Early elections require the agreement of 61 elected officials, or the majority of deputies in the Knesset, where the Likud has the most seats without, however, having a majority. Netanyahu’s Likud said elections while Israel is at war “would inevitably lead to paralysis” and harm the military’s fight in Gaza.
Public Demonstrations
Demonstrations by opponents of Netanyahu have brought together thousands of people in recent weeks and particularly since Saturday, notably in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Protesters and the relatives of hostages taken on October 7 called for the resignation of the premier.
Political Landscape
According to the latest polls, in the event of early elections, Gantz would be well ahead of Netanyahu, whose popularity has been declining since the unprecedented Hamas attack on October 7. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,170 Israelis and foreigners, mainly civilians, according to an AFP count based on official data.
