Benny Gantz asks Netanyahu to retract comments on army reservist protest

Benny Gantz, an opposition leader who joined Israel's war cabinet as part of an emergency government, has called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to retract reported comments on the need to check if a pre-war protest among army reservists pushed Hamas to carry out its 7 October attack.

Several Israeli news outlets, including Channel 12, reported that Netanyahu said there may be a need to examine whether months of protests against his government's controversial judicial reforms, including by reservists who said they would no longer report for regular duty, added to Hamas' motivation. 

Gantz wrote on X: "Over 100% reporting for reserve duty and extraordinary mobilisation of the entire Israeli society – they are the overwhelming answer to all our enemies.

Evading responsibility and slandering during wartime is an insult to the State. The Prime Minister must retract his worlds clearly and unambiguously. I would like to strengthen again all those who serve – from every place. Thanks to you – We will win."

In a statement, Netanyahu denied the reports. 

"Contrary to what was published, the prime minister did not in any way say that the (reservists') refusal was what led Hamas to attack Israel," his office said on Sunday.