Gantz warns Netanyahu to choose unity or politics after cabinet attacks on IDF chief

from Times of Israel

War cabinet minister Benny Gantz on Friday warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to choose between unity or playing politics, as cracks widened in the emergency government cobbled together after the outbreak of the war with Hamas.

Gantz’s warning came as he blamed Netanyahu for allowing right-wing ministers to repeatedly assail the Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi during a fiery security cabinet meeting late Thursday.

Reports in Hebrew media outlets, which quoted unnamed participants, said Netanyahu cut off the meeting after three hours with shouting erupting as some ministers came to Halevi’s defense; he was not reported to have intervened to stop the assailing of the chief of staff. One minister told the Kan broadcaster that they understood the uproar “could be heard outside the room.” Another said some defense officials left early, in apparent protest of their treatment.

The security cabinet meeting was intended to discuss planning for the administration of Gaza following the war with the Hamas terror group, but ended in a loud and angry dustup between ministers and military brass after right-wing ministers cried foul over Halevi’s plan for the army to probe its own operational mistakes that led to the October 7 Hamas assault...

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