Kahol Lavan leader Gantz calls for broad government in Israel — Jerusalem Post
Kahol Lavan party leader and former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, ahead of the October 27 elections, called for the formation of a broad moderate Zionist government. In an op-ed for the Jerusalem Post, he said that such a coalition should unite responsible representatives of right-wing and left-wing forces and not depend on radical political groups.
Internal division and international ties
Gantz named internal division, the weakening of Israel’s international standing, rising antisemitism, and weakening ties with Jewish communities abroad among the country’s main challenges. According to him, polls ahead of the first elections since October 7, 2023, indicate the likelihood of another political deadlock.
The politician stressed that the Israel-US alliance should not depend on party politics. He also called for listening to criticism from allies, including warnings by California US Congressman Brad Sherman about weakening support for Israel in America.
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Criticism of the influence of radical forces
Gantz said that the rhetoric and radical positions of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government could harm Israel’s international standing, even if they do not become government policy. In his view, the country’s political system gives radical minorities influence greater than the level of their public support.
He believes that a broad Zionist government, based on moderate forces, should deprive extremist forces of the ability to block key state decisions. Such a coalition, in Gantz’s view, could preserve political differences while being based on defending the country, the rule of law, rejection of racism and political violence, and preserving Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.
Regional normalization
Gantz also said that to advance regional normalization, Israel must have political space for such decisions. He mentioned the Abraham Accords and noted that cooperation between Israel, the US, and moderate Arab and Muslim countries in security, technology, and trade could transform the country’s position in the region for generations to come.
