On June 18, 2024, Professor Fan Hongda at Shanghai International Studies University's Middle East Studies Institute gave an interview on the political situation in Israel, which is reproduced below:
Israeli war cabinet dissolution complicates regional situation
Editor's note: On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dissolved the war cabinet that has overseen the fighting in Gaza. How will this development shape the regional situation? Two experts share their views with China Daily. Excerpts follow:
A temporary measure that had to go one day
The driving factor behind Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deciding to dissolve the wartime cabinet was the proactive resignation of key member and opposition leader Benny Gantz. The wartime cabinet was originally Gantz's suggestion, and Netanyahu took advantage of the situation arising from his exit to dissolve the wartime cabinet and enhance his role.
Second, the wartime cabinet that came up following the Hamas attack on Oct 7, 2023, was always meant to be a temporary measure. With Israel largely completing its major combat missions by destroying a significant portion of Hamas's military capabilities, it was only logical for Netanyahu to dissolve it.
Third, as the conflict dragged on, other members of the wartime cabinet were growing increasingly dissatisfied with Netanyahu's vague policies.
Furthermore, the growing internal political division in Israel and the continuous communication between the United States and Gantz, as well as Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, fuelled the disintegration of the wartime cabinet.
Fourth, with Israel's march toward general elections now inevitable, and various factions gearing up for it, it was the right time for the dissolution.
Fan Hongda is a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute, Shanghai International Studies University.
Wartime cabinet dissolution was inevitable
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to dissolve the wartime cabinet, while not surprising, reflects a necessary step following its paralysis and the resignation of opposition leader Benny Gantz. The cabinet's inability to influence military decisions during the recent hostilities, coupled with Gantz's direct orders in disregard of its advice to suspend tactical military activities, made Netanyahu's decision inevitable.
The wartime cabinet, established following the Hamas attack last October, with Netanyahu, Gantz, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at its core, held supreme decision-making and veto powers in wartime scenarios. Netanyahu faced significant pressure from the far right within this setup, and its dissolution shifts decision-making back to the broader Israeli cabinet, now including voices from the far right. This complicates Netanyahu's balancing act among left, center, and right factions, potentially pushing him toward greater cooperation with the far right to maintain political stability.
Gantz's departure also questions the legitimacy of Israel's government and decisions regarding the Gaza conflict, likely intensifying calls for early parliamentary elections. Internationally, the dissolution of the wartime cabinet isn't good news for the Biden administration either. With increasing far-right influence within Netanyahu's government and growing opposition to Biden's Gaza proposals, Netanyahu may pivot toward policies less accepting of international initiatives, complicating US efforts to broker peace in the region.
Tang Zhichao is a researcher of Middle East studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Source: China Daily
(The views expressed in this article are the personal views of the author or the interviewee, and do not represent the position of this research institution)
