New Power Play? Gantz Pushes Unity Government Amid Rising Pressure

Benny Gantz has thrown a dramatic proposal onto Israel’s political table: a temporary government dedicated to freeing the hostages and pushing through the controversial haredi draft law.

At a Saturday night press conference, the National Unity leader called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Opposition Chairman Yair Lapid, and Yisrael Beytenu head Avigdor Liberman to form what he termed a “government of redemption for the hostages” that would last just six months.

“The government’s term will begin with a hostage deal that brings everyone home,” Gantz declared. “Within weeks, we will formulate an Israeli service outline that recruits our ultra-Orthodox brothers and eases the burden on those already serving. Finally, we will announce an agreed-upon election date in the spring of 2026.”

“Not to save Netanyahu – to save the hostages”

Anticipating attacks from critics, Gantz dismissed accusations that his move was designed to prop up Netanyahu.

“I know, soon the poison factories will get to work. They will say I want to save Netanyahu. That is not true: I want to save the hostages,” he said. “Some will say I am doing this because of the polls. I will remind them that I joined governments twice: once with 33 mandates and the second time when my party was leading in the polls.”

Gantz has a history of unity governments with Netanyahu, including one formed after the October 7 Hamas attacks. But he later bolted, accusing the prime minister of blocking “real victory” in Gaza.

Mixed reactions from rivals

Lapid, in an earlier Channel 12 interview, warned Gantz against repeating past mistakes:

“You’ve been deceived twice, why would you go in again? Do you want to be deceived a third time?”

Liberman was even harsher, dismissing the initiative as “a pitiful show. I saw a tired, scared, terrified person there who is begging for his life and is taking a ride on the most sensitive issues.”

Yisrael Beytenu later clarified it would only consider joining “a broad Zionist government, and we will not take part in any spin.”

Blue and White hit back, arguing that Gantz’s plan was about action, not theater: “To bring back the hostages and to support those who serve, one must take initiative, not sit in the stands and hand out advice.”

Ben-Gvir bristles, Tamano-Shata counters

As expected, far-right figures slammed the idea. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir insisted coalition partners “unequivocally clarify that Gantz is not joining the government.” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has also voiced opposition to any hostage deal that would free Hamas prisoners.

But National Unity MK Pnina Tamano-Shata countered:

“Blue and White’s proposal makes him uncomfortable. We want to enter the government to move the extremists out of the coalition.”

Safety nets vs. coalition entry

Until now, opposition leaders had mainly offered a “safety net” to Netanyahu for any hostage deal, a political backing without formally joining the government. Lapid repeated that position last week:

“You have from me a safety net of 24 votes for any hostage deal. You do not even need to give anything in return, just bring them home.”

Still, Gantz’s statement marked the first time he openly floated entering Netanyahu’s coalition.

MK Alon Schuster (National Unity) said the party would consider every option if it meant rescuing captives:

“At the moment, there are no talks about joining the government, but if we understand that this is what will lead to the release of hostages, that is what we will do. What do you expect, that we let the hostages die?”

The backdrop: protests and pressure

Gantz’s call came as thousands of demonstrators filled Tel Aviv streets demanding a hostage deal, warning that a full assault on Gaza City could endanger their lives.

For now, Netanyahu has not responded to the initiative, nor to the latest draft of a potential deal reportedly passed to Israel by international mediators this week.