Analysis Gantz Has Awarded Netanyahu Immunity, and There's No Going Back
New opposition leader Yair Lapid won't make things easy for the guy who left him in the lurch
Benny Gantz
Benny Gantz, the Israel Defense Forces’ 20th chief of general staff, is the founder and current head of the Hosen L’Yisrael, or Israel Resilience, party.
Gantz was born in 1959 in Kfar Ahim, a moshav in south-central Israel. He was drafted into the Israeli military in 1977, where he served in the Paratroopers Brigade. In 1979, Gantz graduated Bahad 1, the military’s Officers School, and returned to the Paratroopers Brigade, where he served as a platoon, company, and battalion commander.
Gantz went on to occupy several commanding posts, including of the Israel Air Force’s elite Shaldag unit, the Paratroopers brigade, the Judea and Samaria Division and of the Northern Command.
During his service, Gantz obtained a Bachelor’s degree in History from Tel Aviv University, a Master’s degree in Political Science from University of Haifa, and a second Master’s degree in National Resources Management from the National Defense University in the United States.
Gantz was named the IDF chief of general staff in 2011, replacing Gabi Ashkenazi, a post in which he served until 2015. During his tenure, Gantz promoted Orna Barbivai to major-general, making her the first woman in the military’s general staff. During his term Gantz also commanded the military during the 2014 Gaza war.
Since retiring from the military, Gantz co-founded a social movement called Pnima.
In 2018, Gantz announced that he would run in the Knesset general election, establishing Hosen L’Yisrael. In his first and only public remarks, Gantz criticized the controversial Nation-State Law, vowing to amend it to emphasize equality and the special connection between Israel and its Druze minority.
Gantz Criticizes Kahol Lavan Partners: 'They Preferred Fourth Election to Compromise'
Meir Cohen, Kahol Lavan's candidate for Knesset speaker before Gantz was nominated for the position, claims 'Gantz did everything to be Netanyahu's number 2'
Israeli Labor Party Leader Mulls Joining Netanyahu Government
Amir Peretz might join unity government between Gantz and Likud if coalition promises focus on social reform
Analysis Gantz Ends Up as ‘Erdogan’s’ Deputy
Benny Gantz got a great deal: Steal a million votes from Netanyahu opponents, who saw him as an alternative, and end his career as second-in-command to the one he called a dictator
Opinion Benny Gantz Never Wanted to Lead, and That Makes All the Difference
Netanyahu's new junior partner, whom the center-left camp tried almost by force to dress in Yitzhak Rabin's bloodstained uniform, was staring down two awful possibilities
Analysis Netanyahu Ally's Term Presiding Over a Weak Knesset Ends on a Jarring Note
Although aware of the problems the legislature has, ex-Speaker Edelstein failed to improve the Israeli parliament's poor image and halt it surrender to government
Gantz In, His Political Partners Out: This Is What Netanyahu's New Government Would Look Like
Gantz's election as Knesset speaker likely paves way for unity government, in which his own role remains unclear
Jewish Progressive Groups Beseech Gantz to Include Arab Lawmakers in Government Bid
'It is time for a government that puts aside the vicious attacks against minority groups and embraces an ethic of inclusion,' a coalition of 20 organizations write
Netanyahu and Gantz Discuss Emergency Unity Government in Rare Phone Call
This is the second time Netanyahu and Gantz spoke since Israel’s March 2 election – their first phone call kickstarted talks between them on a potential unity government, which have so far been at a stalemate
Gantz Backs Off of Unity With Netanyahu, Eyes Control of Parliament Instead
Kahol Lavan open to letting current government extend term for six months while it continues pushing law preventing an indicted Netanyahu from being prime minister
Analysis Netanyahu Dispatches His Mercenaries to Thrash Israel's Top Court
Amid Israel's constitutional crisis, Knesset speaker sinks to new lows and Benny Gantz faces the greatest dilemma of his life
Lawmaker From Gantz's Party to Head Main Knesset Committee, Panels Begin Work
Kahol Lavan's Avi Nissenkorn will head the Arrangements Committee, which discussed formation of four temporary panels, one of which will oversee management of the coronavirus crisis
Top Court Rules Speaker Must Convene Knesset to Elect His Successor
High Court of Justice sets Wednesday deadline for speaker after he refused request to hold the vote ■ In his refusal, speaker criticizes 'unprecedented interference' by court in political realm
Analysis Coronavirus in Israel Is a Civilian Crisis, but the Army Can Help Turn the Tide
The Health Ministry refuses to draw upon the army’s resources, while decision-making on a response to the epidemic is in the hands of a threesome led by Netanyahu
Analysis Netanyahu’s Extortion-by-coronavirus Is by Far His Most Shameful and Least Forgivable Offense
The prime minister cites a national emergency to prove the need for unity but will never relinquish his main goal: Avoiding criminal trial
Analysis Netanyahu Finally Laid Out His Proposal for Unity, but Gantz Doesn't Seem Impressed
Despite internal disputes, Kahol Lavan is unlikely to disband, now that its quartet of commanders effectively grew by one to include Lieberman
Netanyahu Says Agreed With Gantz on Unity Government; Gantz Denies
Amid calls for an 'emergency' government to handle the coronavirus outbreak, the premier vows to quit after a year and a half
Analysis Under Coronavirus Emergency, Gantz Surrenders Unconditionally to Netanyahu’s Continued Rule
As Kahol Lavan leader fantasized about a rotation for PM that will never happen, Netanyahu plans to convince the attorney general that the coronavirus crisis requires canceling his corruption trial
Analysis How to Stop Netanyahu From Destroying What's Left of Israel's Democracy
The government is doing all it can to fight the coronavirus, while the premier moves to demolish Israel's democracy. Only if the center-left parties are in the coalition will they be able to contain Netanyahu
Gantz Eyes Unity With Netanyahu First as PM, Even at Price of Breaking Up Kahol Lavan
Despite opposition from senior members of his own party, Gantz is weighing the move but demands a law to ensure that the rotation takes place on a set date
Israel's Parliament Sworn In, but Paralyzed Due to Coronavirus, Political Spat
Gantz's party blame Netanyahu and Knesset speaker, who they say 'shut down the Knesset because he doesn't have a majority'
Analysis Coronavirus Won’t Kill the anti-Netanyahu Bloc
There's still a long way to go before Gantz can form a government; but Netanyahu himself, and his ability to make enemies, has given the centrist leader a fighting chance
Analysis Mistrust, Bad Blood and a Global Virus: Don't Pin Your Hopes on Gantz-Netanyahu Unity
Even if Kahol Lavan chief and the PM overcome their suspicions to form an emergency unity government, it will be an alliance of the weak
Gantz Vows 'A Broad Government Within Days' After Receiving Mandate
Speaking alongside President Rivlin, Kahol Lavan leader 'extends his elbow' to Netanyahu and other leaders in 'healing Israeli society of both coronavirus and hatred'