Archiv: Israel election 2020 / Corona Coup / treason of Benjamin Gantz – defection to Netanyahu government / scorched democracy tactic


10.04.2024 - 17:06 [ Jerusalem Post ]

Gantz: ‚We will enter Rafah and go back to Khan Yunis‘

National Unity chairman Benny Gantz said during a press conference in Sderot on Wednesday that Hamas was militarily defeated following the IDF‘s operation in Gaza.

„From a military point of view – Hamas is defeated. Its fighters are eliminated or in hiding. Its abilities are cut off, and we will continue to strike what remains.

10.04.2024 - 17:00 [ Times of Israel ]

Gantz: Hamas has been defeated militarily but we’ll fight against remnants for years to come

However, “from a military point of view – Hamas is defeated. Its fighters are eliminated or in hiding” and its capabilities “crippled,” he continues, stating that “victory will come step by step” and that Israel “will not stop. We will enter Rafah. We will return to Khan Younis. And we will operate in Gaza. Wherever there are terrorist targets – the IDF will be there.”

08.04.2024 - 00:05 [ Times of Israel ]

Gantz: War against Hamas could last an entire generation, hostages must remain top priority

(28.01.2024)

War cabinet minister Benny Gantz tells residents of the evacuated southern communities that the war against Hamas could last “a year, a decade, or even an entire generation,” and acknowledges the urgent need to ensure the release of the hostages still held in Gaza, Channel 12 reports.

29.01.2024 - 11:39 [ theNationalNews.com ]

Israel-Gaza war live: War on Hamas could last ‚entire generation,‘ says Israeli minister

Israel’s war on Hamas could last an “10 years, or even entire generation,” war cabinet minister Benny Gantz reportedly told residents of evacuated communities in southern Israel.

“Complete removal of the threat will take time,” Israel’s Channel 12 reported Mr Gantz, who previously served as deputy prime minister and defence minister, as saying on Sunday.

30.11.2023 - 10:02 [ Times of Israel ]

Gantz says Jerusalem attack strengthens Israel’s resolve to keep up war on terror

“This terror attack is further proof of our obligation to continue to fight with strength and determination against murderous terrorism, which threatens our citizens. In Jerusalem, Gaza, in Judea and Samaria, and everywhere,” Gantz writes on X, using the biblical name for the West Bank.

07.11.2023 - 17:03 [ Haaretz ]

With Netanyahu‘s Coup in Full Swing, His Trial Is Stuttering. Not by Accident

(05.03.2023)

The trial and the coup are now simultaneously underway, but while the first is lumbering along, the second is galloping forward. The hearings in the Jerusalem District Court will resume only after Passover. Until the judges return from their hiatus, the wings of the High Court of Justice might be clipped, the Judicial Appointments Committee might be under full control of the politicians, or Israel might be in the throes of a historic constitutional crisis.

07.11.2023 - 16:40 [ Haaretz ]

Mendelblit, Don’t Delay

(14.02.2018)

The police announcement Tuesday – that the investigations into two cases involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been completed – came 13 months after Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit decided that a “preliminary examination” of the allegations, which itself took six months, should become full-fledged criminal investigations.

12.10.2023 - 14:49 [ Blake Allen / Twitter ]

Obviously we won’t know until more details come out but since the unity government is with Benny Gantz and not Yair Lapid that means that Ben Gvir and Smotrich will remain in government. That’s horrible for a host of reasons

12.10.2023 - 14:45 [ Louis Weijl / Twitter ]

It‘s not clear to me who is and isn‘t in it. Not Lapid (yet), Liberman, nor Michaeli, but Ben Gvir and Smuthrich? What kind of ‚unity‘ is that? We are used to Gantz immediately taking action. As soon as he can move up a step, he forgets principles and agreements.

12.10.2023 - 14:29 [ Prime Minister of Israel / Twitter ]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at a joint statement with Defense Minister Yoav Galant and National Unity Chairman MK Benny Gantz: „Citizens of Israel, this evening we have formed a national emergency government. The people are united and today its leadership is also united.

(11.10.2023)

07.10.2023 - 20:39 [ Benny Johnson / Twitter ]

BREAKING: Israeli Opposition Leaders Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz are calling for the formation of a unity government to manage the war after meeting with PM Benjamin Netanyahu

(today)

16.07.2023 - 07:10 [ Haaretz ]

Protest’s Lesson for Anti-occupation Left: Mobilize Israelis, Not International Community

This has brought them deserved admiration in the small bubble of the Western human-rights industry and helped with much-needed funding, and has done absolutely nothing to change the dismal situation on the ground, which has steadily gotten worse.

The plaudits and platforms abroad have not resulted in any pressure on successive Israeli governments to change their policies. Not one foreign government or major financial body has changed its policies towards Israel as a result.

16.04.2023 - 11:55 [ Neri Zilber / Nitter ]

Former IDF chief of staff & protest leader Dan Halutz articles mvmnt’s demands: 1.Complete independence of courts 2.Full stop to judicial overhaul bills 3.Reversal of all laws already passed (eg donations law) 4.Non-partisan presidential cmte to formulate reforms, no time limit

16.04.2023 - 10:52 [ Haaretz ]

Tens of Thousands Flock to Protests Across Israel to Oppose Netanyahu’s Judicial Overhaul

Negotiating teams will meet next week at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem to begin dialogue over the laws of the proposed judicial overhaul. This will be the first time the sides will discuss the details of the laws submitted to the Knesset, with previous meetings having focused on technical issues.

Several speakers at the protests called on opposition leaders to halt the negotiations, among them former IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz, who addressed the central demonstration in Tel Aviv.

14.04.2023 - 09:26 [ Haaretz ]

Netanyahu Is Plunging Dramatically in the Polls. But Don‘t Celebrate Yet

The day after the Channel 13 poll appeared, Netanyahu formally revoked his catastrophic dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

10.04.2023 - 06:32 [ Haaretz ]

Poll Shows Netanyahu Crashing, Gantz Far Ahead, Lapid Second

A mere 25 percent of those polled said they wanted the current government to continue leading the country. Thirty-three percent said they support a unity government instead, and another 33 percent prefer another round of elections. Among Likud voters, just 43 percent want the government‘s term to continue, 35 percent prefer a unity government and 10 percent want a return to the polls.

04.11.2022 - 06:14 [ Axios ]

Netanyahu assured Putin „I will be back soon“ after losing election

(Oct 13, 2021)

Days after being ousted as prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu passed a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin promising a quick comeback, a source close to Netanyahu and a European diplomat told me.

Why it matters: Netanyahu and Putin had a close relationship that grew even closer after Russia began its military involvement in Syria in 2015.

13.09.2022 - 12:00 [ Haaretz ]

The Magic Number Aaron Judge, Benjamin Netanyahu and Yair Lapid Are All Chasing

A few days removed from the hysteria of an impending nuclear deal with Iran, the political-media ecosystem is now obsessing about splits and mergers. 
On the right, there was a split in the minuscule, spare-parts junkyard party Zionist Spirit (formerly Naftali Bennett’s political home when it was named Yamina).

If you read the verbose stories with their endless gossipy details about who exactly instigated the dissolution, you’d think this was on the scale of the Southern secession in 1861 or the divisions of Germany and Korea in 1945. Of the 9.5 million Israelis, it is hard to imagine anyone – other than the immediate families of those involved, plus maybe another 500 politicians and journalists – caring about this split.

09.08.2022 - 15:17 [ Newsweek ]

Israeli Defense Minister Refutes Report That Netanyahu Urged Trump to Strike Iran After Losing Election

Benny Gantz, a retired Israeli army general and the country‘s minister of defense, told a local media outlet yesterday that a New Yorker report which said Netanyahu encouraged U.S. action against Iran was likely „not what happened.“

„I don‘t know of this story and I assume this is not what happened,“ Gantz said in an interview, according to the Jerusalem Post.

31.07.2022 - 06:38 [ Haaretz ]

Gantz Is Expecting Lapid to Bow Out Gracefully Once Again

Gantz is expecting Lapid to be the silver platter on which his government will rest. He’s expecting Lapid to bow out gracefully a fourth time.

First, Lapid gave up on leading Kahol Lavan (back when it was a joint ticket). Then he gave up on a rotation as prime minister should it win. Then he let Naftali Bennett be the first prime minister in the outgoing rotation government. As far as Gantz and his supporters are concerned, that’s Lapid’s purpose – to be an indefatigable capitulator, the person who provides springboards and makes governments for others.

03.07.2022 - 08:07 [ Haaretz ]

Israel Downs Unarmed Hezbollah Drones Believed to Be Heading for Gas Rig

Israeli military sources say …

03.07.2022 - 08:05 [ Haaretz ]

Israel Election: Netanyahu‘s Party Is Counting on Gantz

(Jul 1, 2022)

The second consensus – which is both more important and more interesting – is that absolutely no one in Likud, from the most junior member to the most senior, failed to cite Kahol Lavan Chairman Benny Gantz, the current defense minister, as the person they are counting on to complete the tally of 61 Knesset seats that Netanyahu needs to form a government.

01.07.2022 - 10:54 [ Haaretz ]

Travel Warning: Israel‘s Election Will Be Long and Dirty

It capped a week that symbolized everything that was bad about it during the little over a year it was in power: a fractured coalition, too many of whose heads were convinced they were destined to be prime minister and waged an endless campaign, mainly against one another; a coalition with too few responsible adults and too many opportunists. Above all, however, it was a coalition faced with an opposition the likes of which we have never seen: violent, vulgar, brutal, cynical, without a drop of empathy for human suffering, no matter where; that spits on the general public, including its own voters. An opposition without any red lines but with a personality cult; that is captive to a single person who seeks to escape his trial and who along the way turns every stone and scorches every bit of earth in order to completely destroy the young experiment known as Israeli democracy.

12.04.2022 - 17:48 [ IsraelHayom.com ]

PM vows will not seek coalition with Joint Arab List, Netanyahu

Asked about the immediate aftermath of Silman‘s resignation, he said that „the first order of business was to stabilize the faction. I‘ve spoken with the party heads and this government is moving forward. The alternative is to return to the dark days of more election campaigns. Instead of fighting terrorism, fighting each other.“

Bennett further rejected the assertion that the current 60-60 situation in the Knesset has left his government paralyzed, saying that political paralysis „is measured in actions. Controversial laws are hard to pass, but we have no issue with regular legislation.“

01.02.2022 - 03:25 [ Hamodia.com ]

Ministers Bid Farewell to Mandelblit at End of His Term

Ministers paid tribute to Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit on Sunday, who is set to leave the job this week after six years.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that Mandelblit has filled a “great and significant” role. “We all owe you a debt of gratitude. On behalf of the government of Israel, I would like to thank you, Avichai, for many dedicated years of service to the State of Israel.”

17.01.2022 - 15:17 [ הדמוקרטים @democratimOrg / Twitter ]

ארגוני מחאת בלפור הודיעו כי יפגינו ליד ביתו של היועמ“ש מנדלבליט, בעקבות פרסומים על משא ומתן עם נתניהו. „לאחר שנים של טיוח תיקים ושנמוך אישומים, מנסה מנדבליט, רגע לפני פרישתו, להציל את עורו של הנאשם. שום טיעון לא יכול להצדיק את קיומה של העסקה המפוקפקת הזאת שפוגעת באמון הציבור“

17.01.2022 - 15:12 [ BBC ]

Israeli ex-PM Netanyahu‘s cases could be dropped in plea deal

Reports say Mr Netanyahu is, however, objecting to accepting a charge which would require him to leave politics.

Israel‘s longest serving leader was unseated after elections last year.

17.01.2022 - 04:49 [ ABC News ]

Case against Netanyahu includes billionaire witnesses

(December 2, 2019)

By submitting his letter to parliament’s speaker, Mandelblit began an official 30-day window for Netanyahu to ask parliament for immunity. With only a minority in favor, Netanyahu’s odds of success appear slim.

But late Monday, the parliament’s legal adviser, Eyal Yinon, said that any request for immunity would have to be considered by the legislature’s “House Committee.”

The current caretaker government does not have such a committee, and it appears unlikely that it will appoint one before the Dec. 11 deadline.

That means that if Netanyahu submits an immunity request, it will likely be ruled upon only after new elections and formation of a new government that appoints a committee.

13.12.2021 - 20:23 [ Times of Israel ]

Netanyahu was fraying democracy, we were saved ‘by grace of God,’ AG reported to say

(7 December 2021)

Avichai Mandelblit said to tell associates privately that the ex-PM he put on trial hoped to appoint prosecutors and judges who would protect him; ‚democracy not guaranteed‘

15.10.2021 - 02:38 [ Haaretz ]

It’s Official: The Netanyahu Era Is Over

Yuli Edelstein did it, big-time. He said out loud what other senior Likud politicians have been whispering to journalists “not for attribution” – that former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no chance of being able to form a government even after the next election. Edelstein broke the fear barrier.

23.07.2021 - 06:26 [ Haaretz ]

Pegasus Project: Israel Will Review Defense Export Regulation After NSO Allegations, Lawmaker Says

(22.07.2021)

The Israeli interministerial team „will conduct its checks, and we will be sure to look into the findings and see if we need to fix things here,“ Ben Barak said.

DECA is within Israel‘s Defense Ministry and oversees NSO exports.

21.07.2021 - 19:00 [ Times of Israel ]

Knesset fights Bennett’s proposal to let IDF and NSO Group track virus patients

(31 March 2020)

Earlier in the day, in a series of tweets, Bennett had floated the idea of giving the Israel Defense Forces’ elite Unit 8200, along with NSO, access to highly personal data of Israeli citizens that had been collected by the Shin Bet security service and Health Ministry as part of an already contentious mass surveillance program.

14.06.2021 - 12:00 [ Haaretz.com / Twitter ]

Avigdor Lieberman has long been misjudged by both the left and the right in Israel. But without him, Benjamin Netanyahu wouldn’t be packing his bags to leave the prime minister’s residence, writes Alon Pinkas

13.06.2021 - 19:15 [ Anshel Pfeffer אנשיל פפר / Twitter ]

Benny Gantz making last speech in debate before the vote to appoint a new Knesset Speaker, preceding confidence vote. He’ll remain defense minister in the new government but no longer “alternate prime minister.”

11.06.2021 - 12:39 [ Tagesschau.de ]

Möglicher Machtwechsel Israels: Koalitionäre zittern um die Mehrheit

Der Vorwurf der Netanyahu-Anhänger: Verrat. Wer mit Stimmen rechter Wähler ins Parlament gekommen sei, könne sich an dieser Koalition nicht beteiligen, erklärte Benjamin Netanyahu in den vergangenen Tagen immer wieder.

„Wir sind Zeugen des größten Wahlbetrugs in der Geschichte des Staates, vielleicht sogar in der Geschichte der Demokratie. Ich habe etwas Vergleichbares gesucht, aber auch viele Wissenschaftler konnten solch einen Betrug nirgendwo anders finden. Es sind die Parteien, die rechts reden und links handeln und so ihre Wähler in die Irre geführt haben. „

04.06.2021 - 12:12 [ apnews.com ]

No ‘provoking’: Israeli official vows quieter tone with US

Sitting across a table from his U.S. counterpart at the Pentagon, Gantz said, “Our dialogue is so important to ensuring that any deal effectively meets its goal of keeping Iran away from nuclear weapons.”

“Of course, given the scope of the threat, Israel must always make sure that it has the ability to protect itself,” Gantz added.

04.06.2021 - 00:55 [ i24news.tv ]

Gantz meets with Blinken in Washington to talk Mideast security

„ery happy today to have the opportunity to pursue that conversation, to talk about the United States‘ enduring commitment to Israel‘s security and to talk about some of the needs that Israel has in that regard,“ Blinken said.

The officials discussed the Iran nuclear threat, as well as the recent 11-day conflagration between Israel and the Gaza Strip-based terrorists of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.

01.06.2021 - 10:40 [ Haaretz ]

Lapid Prepares to Tell the President He Has Formed a New Government

Following overnight efforts, the negotiating teams of the parties opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have made progress in formulating an agreement for a unity government, officials from the parties said Tuesday morning.

The teams from Yesh Atid, Yamina, New Hope and Yisrael Beiteinu will reconvene in Kfar Hamacabiah in the afternoon in an effort to seal the agreements.

21.05.2021 - 08:50 [ Times of Israel ]

Bibi’s back: 11 days of fighting have bolstered Netanyahu’s survival prospects

Early last week, the PM appeared to be on the way out, with his rivals about to announce a coalition. Now they have only a few days left, and much reduced chances

12.05.2021 - 07:35 [ Bernie Sanders / Twitter ]

I am extremely concerned by the growing conflict in Israel and Palestine. Once again we are seeing how the irresponsible actions of government-allied right-wing extremists in Jerusalem can escalate quickly into devastating war.

Israeli children should not have to spend the night scared in bomb shelters, as many are doing tonight. Palestinian children should not have to grow up under the constant violence and oppression of occupation, as so many do, and have done.

The United States must call for an immediate cease-fire and an end to provocative and illegal settlement activity. And we must also recommit to working with Israelis and Palestinians to finally end this conflict.