Protests, Netanyahu rival Gantz urge Israel elections
Tens of thousands of protesters have spent days demanding Netanyahu's resignation


What happened
Benny Gantz, a member of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet and his top political rival, called for new elections Wednesday, as tens of thousands of Israeli protesters spent a fourth day on the streets demanding Netanyahu's resignation.
Who said what
"We must agree on a date for elections in September," a year into the Gaza war, to show Israelis "we will soon renew their trust in us," Gantz said. Netanyahu said "calls to hold elections now, in the height of the war," would "paralyze Israel for at least six months."
The commentary
"The fact that a consensus centrist politician like Gantz is saying this indicates how the pressure for new elections is ramping up in Israel," The Atlantic's Yair Rosenberg said on X.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
"September is likely to be the earliest date for an election," given Israeli law, Semafor said. The next election isn't scheduled until October 2026, though "most political analysts say Netanyahu will be forced to call for new elections when the war is over," The Wall Street Journal said. "Polling suggests he would be trounced" by Gantz "if elections were held today."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Delhi's dogs earn Supreme Court reprieve
IN THE SPOTLIGHT After an outcry from the public and animal rights activists, India's Supreme Court walks back a controversial plan to round the city's stray dog population into shelters
-
8 hotels with ace tennis courts
The Week Recommends Bring your A game
-
Abrego released from jail, faces Uganda deportation
Speed Read The wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego García is expected to be detained at an ICE check-in and deported to Uganda
-
Abrego released from jail, faces Uganda deportation
Speed Read The wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego García is expected to be detained at an ICE check-in and deported to Uganda
-
Trump arms National Guard in DC, threatens other cities
speed read His next targets are Chicago, New York and Baltimore
-
'America is simply not investing at the level the crisis demands'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Judge: Trump's US attorney in NJ serving unlawfully
Speed Read The appointment of Trump's former personal defense lawyer, Alina Habba, as acting US attorney in New Jersey was ruled 'unlawful'
-
Third judge rejects DOJ's Epstein records request
Speed Read Judge Richard Berman was the third and final federal judge to reject DOJ petitions to unseal Epstein-related grand jury material
-
'It's our financialized economy in miniature'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Texas OKs gerrymander sought by Trump
Speed Read The House approved a new congressional map aimed at flipping Democratic-held seats to Republican control
-
Israel starts Gaza assault, approves West Bank plan
Speed Read Israel forces pushed into the outskirts of Gaza City and Netanyahu's government gave approval for a settlement to cut the occupied Palestinian territory in two