Gantz accuses Netanyahu of putting personal interests before Israel’s
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main political rival, Benny Gantz, has accused him of focusing on his political career rather than the interest of the country.
This comes after Netanyahu reiterated that he wouldn’t budge on calls for Israel to leave the Philadelphi Corridor, a position he has turned into a key obstacle to a ceasefire agreement.
Speaking at the Israel Bar Association’s annual conference in Tel Aviv, Gantz said: “If he [Netanyahu] is not strong enough to withstand the international pressure, let him put the keys down and go home.”
Netanyahu lists achievements in response to Gantz’s criticism
In response to criticism by former war cabinet member Gantz, Netanyahu’s office has listed Israel’s achievements since Gantz pulled out of the government and the war cabinet in June.
“The reality speaks for itself. Since Gantz and his party left the government, Israel eliminated Hamas’s chief of staff and Hezbollah’s chief of staff, attacked the Houthis, seized the Philadelphi Corridor – the lifeline by which Hamas arms itself – and carried out a preemptive strike against Hezbollah, which thwarted its malicious plan and destroyed thousands of rockets aimed at the Galilee,” Netanyahu said, according to his office.
“Whoever does not contribute to the victory and the return of the hostages would do well not to interfere.”
GCC stands with Egypt against Netanyahu’s weapons accusations
The secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has stated that he gives his “full solidarity and support with Egypt against the provocative statements of the Israeli prime minister”.
“The statements aim to tarnish Egypt’s image and undermine its leading and significant role in the region,” Jasem Mohammed Al-Budaiwi said in a statement.
Netanyahu had on Monday made accusations that weapons were being smuggled to Hamas through the Egyptian border.
“We reject these irresponsible statements which do not serve peace in the region but rather contribute to increasing tension,” Al-Budaiwi said.
Netanyahu stands before a map of Gaza during a news conference in Jerusalem on Monday
Qatar, Saudia Arabia back Egypt against Netanyahu’s weapons accusations
Qatar and Saudi Arabia expressed solidarity with Egypt over comments Netanyahu made earlier this week accusing the country of allowing weapons to be smuggled to Hamas through the Egyptian border.
“[Netanyahu] tried to use Egypt’s name to distract Israeli public opinion and obstruct joint mediation efforts aimed at a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the exchange of hostages and detainees,” Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserts that the Israeli occupation’s approach based on an attempt to falsify facts and mislead world public opinion by repeating lies will ultimately lead to the demise of peace efforts and the expansion of violence in the region.”
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry also chided Netanyahu’s accusation, saying it condemns it as a “futile [attempt] to justify continued Israeli violations of international laws and norms”.
The kingdom said it was “affirming its solidarity and support for the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt in confronting these Israeli allegations”.
