There is a dispute in the Israeli war cabinet over the question of what to do with Gaza after the war. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant publicly called on Benjamin Netanyahu to submit plans. But the prime minister called the demand “irrelevant” as long as Hamas was not defeated. Journalist Inga Rogg in Tel Aviv knows what is behind the dispute.
SRF News: Does the dispute between Netanyahu and Galant have a new quality?
Inga Rogg: However – Israel is at war and the defense minister is openly challenging the prime minister. This is a scandal.
What does Galant demand?
He wants plans to be drawn up as to who should take political control of the Gaza Strip. Galant wants a Palestinian entity to do this, i.e. the Palestinian Authority. According to Galant, the alternative would be for the army to take control of the Gaza Strip – including politically – and he rejects that.
Does Galant have support for his demands?
The USA has been calling for this very clearly for a long time, most recently Foreign Minister Antony Blinken. Galant also has support within the army. Officers up to the chief of staff are demanding that a political plan be presented so as not to jeopardize the military successes against Hamas. They want an exit strategy for the war in Gaza.
How does Netanyahu react?
He has published a video in which he says that after “Hamastan” he will not allow “Fatahstan” in the Gaza Strip. For him, a takeover of political power by the Palestinian Authority, which is dominated by Fatah, is out of the question.
Calls for Galant’s resignation came from the government’s right-wing camp.
Finally, Netanyahu repeatedly boasts that he has not allowed a Palestinian state in recent years – and that he will prevent that in the future. There were even calls for Galant’s resignation from the government’s far-right camp.
Where does the population stand in this discussion?
She is polarized. On the one hand, there is support for the government and the right-wing camp. Just this week there was a large demonstration demanding an annexation of the Gaza Strip so that Jewish settlements could be built there again.
There were open calls for the expulsion of the Palestinians.
Some people openly called for the expulsion of the Palestinians. The other part of the population is primarily concerned with criticism of Netanyahu – and with the fate of the hostages still held by Hamas.
What impact does the dispute within the government have on the course of the war?
What Galant is talking about can already be seen in the Gaza Strip: the army had announced months ago that the north of the coastal area was safe and that Hamas had been driven out from there. But now Hamas appears to have returned there and the army is once again involved in heavy fighting. This is exactly what Galant means: If there is no administrative power, Hamas or criminal gangs will move into the vacuum.
The interview was conducted by Christina Scheidegger.