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Unity Government in Israel: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a top opposition leader on Wednesday (Oct 11) reached an agreement to form a wartime unity government to oversee the war against Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Hamas had suddenly attacked Israel last Saturday, after which Israel had declared war. More than 2,200 people have lost their lives so far in this war.
Consensus on building unity in Israel
National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz had previously indicated that he was willing to join an emergency unity government unconditionally to boost Israel’s war effort. He issued a release informing about the agreement on forming a unity government and termed it a joint statement with PM Netanyahu.
Prior to this, Gantz has served as Israel’s Defense Minister and Chief of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The statement said that he will form a five-member war management cabinet. It will include PM Netanyahu, Gantz, current Defense Minister Yoav Galant and two serving top officials as observer members.
Invitation sent to main opposition party also
It was said in this statement that as long as the fighting continues, the government will not pass any non-war related bill nor take any decision related to it. The main opposition party Yair Lapid has also been invited to join the new cabinet, but no reply has been received from his side yet.
The move received support from unexpected quarters in Israeli politics, which until recently seemed divided into two broad factions over the government’s judicial reform efforts.
The judicial reform effort was seen by many as an attempt to weaken the authority of the judiciary, leading to massive protests across the country for 39 consecutive weeks. Even on the day the war started, a massive demonstration was planned on this issue.
Israeli leader said- ‘Victory is needed’
Right-wing extremist leader and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was believed to be the only leader who was dragging his feet on establishing a unity coalition. “Welcome unity, now we need to win,” he posted on Twitter after the decision was announced.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the architect of radical changes in the judiciary, also welcomed the agreement, saying, “It is right and it was necessary to do it.” From here we will work together.
What did the Israeli minister say?
“The State of Israel has a unity government,” Economic Affairs Minister Nir Barkat wrote. In times like these, we must unite, support IDF soldiers, and work together until Israel achieves complete victory over its enemy.”
Israel has vowed an unprecedented offensive against Hamas, the Islamic extremist group that rules Gaza, since its fighters breached the border fence and entered the southern part of the country on October 7 in deadly attacks. The Israeli military said, “More than 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, including 155 soldiers.” Whereas in Gaza, according to officials, 950 people including 260 children and 230 women have been killed.
Also read: Amidst the tension, a secret meeting took place between S Jaishankar and the Foreign Minister of Canada? This claim is being made in the reports
