World

Israeli war cabinet minister proposes bill to dissolve parliament

Benjamin Netanyahu's government is showing signs of fracturing, with war cabinet minister Benny Gantz proposing to dissolve parliament over a push for a post-war plan for the Gaza Strip.

A man in a suit and tie speaking in a hallway.

Benny Gantz has emerged as Benjamin Netanyahu's main political rival since 7 October. Source: AAP / J. Scott Applewhite

Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz's centrist party has proposed a bill to dissolve parliament, after he threatened to quit unless there is agreement on a day-after plan for the Gaza war.

The bigger picture: The development shows growing strains in Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

Gantz has emerged as Netanyahu's main political rival since 7 October, with recent opinion polls showing he would receive the most votes should a snap election be held.

The key quote: "Netanyahu, it's not too late to come to your senses — either together we are victorious or you continue alone with the method of 'divide and rule'." - Gantz's National Unity party in a statement.

What else to know: Gantz joined Netanyahu's government shortly after the 7 October attack. He has helped manage the Israeli offensive in Gaza, but strains have grown as the war dragged on.

What happens now: Gantz's party is unlikely to garner the votes needed for the measure to pass. The party has just eight parliamentary seats out of 120 and Netanyahu's original coalition controls a comfortable majority with 64 seats.

Read more: Israel war cabinet member Benny Gantz threatens to quit government over Gaza strategy


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Source: AAP, Reuters



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