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Gantz Issues Ultimatum: Quitters Could Boost Coalition to 69 Seats

5/5/2026

24 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Gantz warned that if MK Chili Tropper and MK Orit Farkash-Hacohen quit, a Gideon Sa'ar faction member could replace them, raising the coalition to 69 seats.
Gantz summoned MK Eitan Ginzburg and set a noon deadline for his political intentions.
Tropper agreed to stay in the Knesset and coordinate with the Blue and White faction despite his earlier departure announcement.

History

Historical Context

Israel’s 1977 ‘Mahapach’ saw Likud under Menachem Begin win 43 Knesset seats, ending three decades of Labor dominance and forging a coalition with religious parties. That power-balancing precedent echoes today as Benny Gantz threatens to swap departing MKs for Gideon Sa’ar allies to keep his 69-seat coalition intact in the Knesset.

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Story summary

Gantz warned that if MK Chili Tropper and MK Orit Farkash-Hacohen quit, a Gideon Sa'ar faction member could replace them, raising the coalition to 69 seats.
Gantz summoned MK Eitan Ginzburg and set a noon deadline for his political intentions.
Tropper agreed to stay in the Knesset and coordinate with the Blue and White faction despite his earlier departure announcement.

1 / 2