Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz announced Wednesday his centrist National Unity party has introduced a bill to dissolve the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, which would trigger an early election.

It is unclear when lawmakers might vote on the bill, which requires a majority vote to pass. Israeli law stipulates there cannot be another vote for six months if the motion fails.

  • wewbull@feddit.uk
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    18
    ·
    edit-2
    6 months ago

    I don’t know how to interpret this information. Is this people trying to change the leadership or cement it in?

    Edit: The key part was missed by the summary bot.

    A long-time rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Gantz joined the emergency War Cabinet shortly after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks. But he has since become increasingly critical of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, saying that the government has de-prioritized the safe return of the remaining Israeli hostages.

    • Toldry@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      4
      ·
      6 months ago

      Right before October 7th, Israel was in the midst of a huge political upheaval because of the looming judicial overhaul. Gantz was the leader of the opposition, and the main political rival of Netanyahu. The country was extremely divided, almost verging on civil war.

      Right after October 7th, Israelis were focused on unity, survival, and combatting Hamas, Hezbollah, and other threats.

      Gantz joined the war cabinet mostly to signal that whatever disagreements he and his party have with Netanyahu [of which there are many], he still prioritizes national unity in the face of existential threat.

      This unity was fragile, and by now the political infighting in Israel is back in full swing.

      • wewbull@feddit.uk
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        6 months ago

        Oh. So Netanyahu pulled a Falklands to get out of trouble. Thanks. It’s making a bit more sense now.