Benny Gantz
Benny Gantz is an Israeli lawmaker and current minister-without-portfolio, who currently leads the National Unity party.
He was born in Kfar Ahim, a moshav that his parents helped found. His mother was a Holocaust survivor and his father was arrested by British authorities for attempting to enter pre-state Israel.
Gantz was drafted to the IDF in 1977 and served in the 1982 Lebanon war. He also participated in Operation Solomon, a covert mission that rescued Ethiopian Jews in 1991.
After serving as the IDF's chief of staff, in 2018 Gantz announced the formation of a new political party, what would later become Blue and White. He would eventually become the country's defense minister before joining the opposition and then rejoining an emergency government due to the war against Hamas.
He earned a history degree from Tel Aviv University, a Political Science masters degree from Haifa University and a National Resource Management master’s degree from the United States National Defense University.
He and his wife, Revital, live in Rosh Ha’ayin.
'A profound moral failure': Israeli officials react to British sanctions on Ben-Gvir, Smotrich
"Britain has already tried once to prevent us from settling the cradle of our homeland, and we will not allow it to do so again," Smotrich stated.
Benny Gantz's faction to hold leadership primaries as Israeli election looms
Netanyahu falls short of forming gov't in latest voting projections - survey
Deradicalization must be core of Gaza's day after plan, Gantz tells 'Post' - podcast
Former hostage Doron Katz-Asher comes to 'difficult' decision to ask for public financial help
"I realize I can't do this alone. The emotional burden is heavy, and the financial fears are real. I never thought I would ask for help," Doron Katz-Asher shared.
Gantz to Netanyahu: ‘You have opposition support, bring the hostages home now’
National Unity leader Benny Gantz says the opposition will back a hostage deal and urges Netanyahu to act swiftly: "You stand at a critical crossroads."
Paying heavy price for hostages is a strength, not a weakness, Gantz says
While most Israelis did not want to govern the Palestinians, they were also not willing to risk national security, Gantz added.
Haredi parties' Knesset boycott to continue for third straight week
This could change pending an assessment by haredi MKs later this week, according to one of the spokespersons.
Benny Gantz: 'No need to renew settlement in Gaza,' settlements needed in West Bank
Gantz also added that "important settlements need to happen in the West Bank, in the North and the South.”
Gantz: Idea of creating a Palestinian state 'disconnected from reality'
Gantz said Israel “cannot allow a direct and significant threat to its citizens on any border,” and insisted the country must retain security control and operational freedom in Gaza.
'Oct. 7 disaster will happen again if not probed': Families, opposition blast gov't
The October Council, representing October 7 victims' families, accused the government of a conflict of interest.
Education Ministry backs teachers' strike on budget cuts to salaries
Benny Gantz expressed his support for the teachers as well and criticized Netanyahu's conduct on the matter.
'Riddled with inaccuracies, bias, and half-truths': Bar, others react to PM's Shin Bet affidavit
Yair Lapid, Benny Gantz, and Yair Golan all denounced Netanyahu, as well as senior activists representing families affected by the October 7 massacre.
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett admitted to hospital
Bennett underwent a catheterization, according to the reports.
Opposition heads blast Netanyahu, say PM was 'afraid' to attack Iran
Yair Lapid: "Destroying Iran's oil industry would collapse its economy and ultimately bring down the regime. Netanyahu was afraid and stopped it."