Benny Gantz: Netanyahu is responsible for October 7, dividing society

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Lazar Focus . Each Friday, join host diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what’s behind the news that spins the globe. Benny Gantz was in the headlines in Israel and often across the globe for the better part of two decades. He was the 20th IDF chief of staff during two major operations against Hamas, was opposition leader, served as defense minister, and for the eight months after October 7, was a senior member of the war cabinet. His fortunes have shifted, however. His party is polling well below the electoral threshold, and there are no signs that is about to change. Opposition figures are calling for Gantz to drop out, warning he will waste tens of thousands of votes that could prove decisive in replacing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. More from Lazar Focus September 11, 2026 Yossi Abravanel: Despite sanctions, Israel must keep communication open with Europe August 14, 2026 Bjorn Lomborg: Energy, climate, and the fight for a better world August 7, 2026 Is there really progress in Trump's Gaza, Lebanon and Iran talks? July 31, 2026 Victor Davis Hanson: Trump must set up an Iranian government-in-exile July 24, 2026 Israel should worry about Saudi deal, but there is good news in Lebanon But Gantz insists he is in the race for the long run. WATCH the full episode here: Gantz said that he doesn’t owe anything to anyone except his own voters. He acknowledges that he won’t be prime minister, but says that he can be the bridge between the camps in a broad Zionist unity government. Everything is possible for Israel with a unity government, he said, while no problem can be addressed without one. According to Gantz, Netanyahu needs to be replaced. October 7 was his responsibility, and he is also culpable for dividing Israeli society. He was fairly optimistic about Israel’s operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, saying that Israel cannot allow radical forces to build up capabilities that could be used to attack Israel. Gantz stressed that Israel is not taking revenge in Gaza, but is securing its own future by working to defeat Hamas. Lazar Focus is available on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and video edited by Yitzchak Ledee. Check out last week’s Lazar Focus: Help us report truthfully on social media As a multimedia journalist, my job is to take the quality, fact-based journalism produced by The Times of Israel newsroom and make it accessible across every platform — from Instagram posts to podcasts to short-form videos. This is how many, especially young people, consume news these days. But misinformation is rampant on social media. 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