Political chaos engulfed Israel on Monday after a key minister in the government resigned in anger over a lack of strategy in the Gaza War.
Benny Gantz, a senior politician with extensive military experience who joined a unity government after the October 7 attacks, said in his resignation speech on Sunday evening that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “is preventing [Israel] from progressing towards a true victory” in Gaza.
Since the news broke late on Sunday night, opposition leaders have been calling for elections. Meanwhile, far-right ministers with extreme wartime policies that could push Israel further into international isolation have been demanding more of a say in how the war is conducted.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has led calls for resettling Gaza, depriving the strip of humanitarian aid and launching a war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, is now insisting on joining the war cabinet, a three-person body formed after October 7 on which Mr Gantz sat.
"That small cabinet has led Israel until now, while excluding and dividing senior ministers in the government. No more,” Mr Ben-Gvir said, insisting now is the time “to make brave decisions”.
Mr Gantz had been becoming increasingly critical of Mr Netanyahu’s war strategy in recent months and set June 8 as a deadline by which Mr Netanyahu would have had to commit to a mutually agreed strategy for Gaza.
In particular, Mr Gantz and his allies, along with a growing segment of Israeli society, have been accusing Mr Netanyahu of not prioritising the release of Israeli hostages, choosing instead to placate far-right members of the cabinet who want to continue fighting in Gaza at all costs.
Mr Gantz’s departure could also endanger a ceasefire proposal presented by US President Joe Biden at the end of last month, which would pave the way for the release of Israeli hostages.
Far-right members of Mr Netanyahu’s coalition are bitterly opposed to an end to the war and are expected to do all they can to torpedo the deal.
Western diplomats told Israeli outlet Haaretz that Mr Gantz’s departure will make it more difficult to work with Israel.
“We won't involve ourselves in internal Israeli politics at this level but there's no question that for western governments supporting Israel, it will be harder now to continue with that support,” one official told the newspaper.
Controversy over the fate of captives continued on Monday when far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich incurred sharp criticism from the families of Israeli hostages.
After family members intercepted him outside the Israeli Parliament, Mr Smotrich accused them of “demagoguery” after they complained about him not meeting them since the war began.
If Hamas survives because of a ceasefire deal, it will resume “arming itself, digging tunnels, purchasing missiles and many Jews can be murdered and kidnapped in another October 7”, he told the family members.
Despite fears the resignation might embolden the far right in the short term, leaders in Israel’s opposition welcomed Mr Gantz’s move.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said the decision was “important and correct” and called for elections.
"The time has come to replace this extreme and reckless government with a sane government that will lead to the return of security to the citizens of Israel, to the return of the hostages, to the restoration of Israel's economy and international status,” he added.
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
ABU DHABI CARD
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions; Dh90,000; 2,200m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 1,400m
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden; Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh100,000; 1,600m
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh125,000; 1,600m
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1; Dh5,000,000; 1,600m
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
