Benny Gantz trapped over Netanyahu’s trial
Defense Minister Benny Gantz and his Blue and White party did not realize in time that the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would also hurt them.
In his worst nightmares, Blue and White Chairman and Defense Minister Benny Gantz could not have imagined the major damage that would be inflicted on him on the opening day of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial on May 24.
Netanyahu delivered his “J’accuse” speech on a live broadcast to the cameras only moments before he entered the Jerusalem District Court. It was his indictment of Israel’s law enforcement system, which he accused of persecuting and “framing” him. For several but seemingly endless minutes, while standing in front of mask-wearing silent Likud ministers, the prime minister hurled poison darts at the police and the state prosecution office.
True, Gantz took into account that the day would be a difficult one for him on both the public and political levels after he had promised not to be part of a government headed by someone accused of bribery. True, Gantz had disappointed and even betrayed hundreds of thousands of supporters. Now he had not only made a political alliance with the accused defendant but also found himself trapped between his promises to defend the legal system and the necessity of retaining a cordial relationship with the defendant.
On the morning the trial started, Gantz consulted with his people. The decision was for Gantz to keep a low profile with the media throughout the day.
