Benny Gantz, head of the National Unity party, issued a sharp statement Tuesday against Democratic Party leader Yair Golan, accusing him of working to ignite a civil war while Gantz himself acts to prevent one. The text, published on social media, adds to escalating political tensions between the two centrist figures as the country faces a constitutional crisis over the government's defiance of the High Court.
Benny Gantz, the National Unity party chairman and former defense minister, leveled a personal attack Tuesday against Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats, accusing him of divisive rhetoric that could lead to civil conflict. The text – published on social media at 11:35 Jerusalem time – read: "Yair, the difference between you and me is simple: you work to ignite a civil war and I act to prevent it. Your biggest fear is that a broad Zionist government will be formed with no room for your extreme views and the hatred you spread."
Gantz's statement comes amid a deepening institutional clash between the government and the judiciary. On Sunday, the government formally told the High Court it would not abide by any ruling on the Second Authority for Television and Radio. The Second Authority board, to which both Golan and Gantz have ties, convened Tuesday anyway and complied with the High Court ruling, ignoring the cabinet directive – a move that has drawn widespread criticism from Golan's camp and praise from Gantz's. This is the second time in recent days Gantz has publicly attacked Golan. On Monday, he accused him of 'spreading hatred and division.'
The dispute underlines the broader schism within Israel's center-left and center-right political camps over how to respond to the government's defiance of judicial oversight.
2 developments
- DevelopingYair Golan attacks Gantz's unity government campaign in new video
- StrongGantz says he feels only concern, not schadenfreude, over emerging deal
- DevelopingGantz accuses Golan of spreading hatred and division
- DevelopingGantz tells Netanyahu: if it's up to you, a government with Haredim and extremists will form
Source and signal
- Internal intake