Gantz calls on Netanyahu, Lapid, Liberman to form temp. gov't to return all of the hostages

Gantz outlined two main goals of the temporary government: Returning all the hostages and passing the haredi draft law. Afterwards, he said it would dissolve and Israel would go to elections,

Blue and White Party head Benny Gantz called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, and Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman to form a temporary “government of redemption for the hostages” for a period of six months, during a press conference on Saturday.

Gantz said that the temporary government should focus on two primary goals: securing the release of hostages held by Hamas and passing the controversial haredi draft law.

Gantz also said that elections should be scheduled following the completion of these objectives.

“The government’s term will begin with a hostage deal that brings everyone home,” said Gantz.

“Within weeks, we will formulate an Israeli service outline that recruits our ultra-Orthodox brothers and eases the burden on those already serving,” Gantz said.

“Finally, we will announce an agreed-upon election date in the spring of 2026 and pass a law to dissolve the Knesset accordingly. That is what is right for Israel,” he added.

Gantz addressed anticipated criticism of the move and dismissed claims that his initiative was politically motivated. He underscored that the proposal was solely for the purpose of rescuing the hostages and not to “save” Netanyahu’s government.

“I know, soon the poison factories will get to work. They will say I want to save Netanyahu. That is not true. I want to save the hostages,” he said.

“Some will say I am doing this because of the polls. I will remind them that I joined governments twice: once with 33 mandates and the second time when my party was leading in the polls."

Unity governments

Gantz has entered two unity governments under Netanyahu in the past. The last time was after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. However, Gantz had then left the coalition due to disagreements with Netanyahu, claiming that the prime minister was preventing Israel from “moving forward to a real victory” in the war.

The Yisrael Beytenu Party responded to Gantz’s proposal, saying that “the only government we will be part of is a broad Zionist government, and we will not take part in any spin.”

The Blue and White Party, in return, responded to Yisrael Beytenu that “We were elected to the Knesset in order to use our political power. To bring back the hostages and to support those who serve, one must take initiative, not sit in the stands and hand out advice.”

After the conference, Gantz was asked by press if he had spoken to Lapid or Liberman in advance about his proposal.

Gantz responded that he had tried reaching out to them but was unable to reach them.

“I didn’t succeed, [reaching them] maybe because of Shabbat. Lapid was in an interview, Liberman didn’t answer,” Gantz said.

Before the press conference, Lapid addressed the possibility of Gantz joining Netanyahu’s government in a Channel 12 interview.

“You’ve been deceived twice, why would you go in again? Do you want to be deceived a third time?” Lapid said, addressing Gantz.

Gantz’s proposal comes amid expected opposition from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to any potential hostage release deal.

Until now, opposition parties had primarily discussed offering a “safety net” to support the government in reaching a deal. Gantz’s statement, however, puts the possibility of his party entering the coalition on the table.

Netanyahu has not yet responded to the proposal or to the latest draft of a potential deal reportedly submitted this week by international mediators.

MK Alon Schuster (Blue and White) said on Kan News on Wednesday that while no formal negotiations were underway regarding joining the government, all options would be considered if it meant rescuing hostages.

“At the moment, there are no talks about joining the government, but if we understand that this is what will lead to the release of hostages, that is what we will do. What do you expect? That we let the hostages die?” Schuster said.

Lapid addressed the matter of providing a safety net on Thursday, pledging support for any hostage deal and offering political backing without preconditions.

“You have from me a safety net of 24 votes for any hostage deal. You do not even need to give anything in return. Just bring them home,” Lapid said.