Israeli Minister seeks Knesset elections in September

Benny Gantz, a former opposition figure and current minister without portfolio in Israel’s unity government, is pushing for Knesset elections in September. He asserts that setting an election date now would allow defense efforts to continue while addressing public trust issues. This follows growing protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to the ongoing hostage situation in Gaza, with 134 Israelis still captive after six months. Netanyahu, who has served as the country’s longest-serving premier, opposes an early election. Despite his resistance, political forecasts suggest difficulty for Netanyahu in securing a majority, while Gantz’s party, National Unity, appears poised for success. The unity government was formed after a Hamas attack on October 7, resulting in casualties of approximately 1,200 Israelis and over 32,000 Gazans, according to health authorities.