Gantz Calls on Netanyahu to Withdraw Statements

The senior minister who joined Israel's war cabinet, Benny Gantz, urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to "withdraw statements he reportedly made linking the protests of reservists before the war to the motives of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement 'Hamas' for carrying out its attack on Israel last month." Gantz wrote on the social media platform X: "Shirking responsibility (and distributing alleged accusations) in a time of war is a blow to the country. Over 100% enlistment for reservists and the extraordinary mobilization of all Israeli society - they are the crushing answer to all our enemies. Evading responsibility and casting slurs during wartime harm the state. The Prime Minister must retract his words clearly and unambiguously. I want to once again strengthen all the servicemen - from everywhere. Thanks to you - we will win." — Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) November 5, 2023. Channel 12 Israeli and other media reported that Netanyahu said it "may be necessary to investigate whether the protests against his government for months, including protests by reservists who said they would not refuse to resume service, contribute to Hamas's motives for carrying out its attack on Israel last month, igniting the current war."