Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed an order Oct. 22 declaring six Palestinian rights groups in the West Bank would henceforth be treated as terrorist organizations. The results in the cabinet were predictable, with furious ministers on the left.
Gantz failed to notify the government in advance of the measure, which conflicted with the core principles underlying the coalition agreement and humiliated coalition partners on the left. Some ministers on the left knew those groups and their leaders personally, even maintaining a working relationship with some, contributing to the sense that Gantz’ decision was a politically motivated attempt to harm his coalition partners.
