Benny Gantz: Britain could do much more to support US and Israel in Iran war

Israel’s former defence minister, Benny Gantz, has suggested a programme of options for countries such as the UK to support Israel and America in their campaign against Iran.

Speaking to members of the Jerusalem Press Club, Gantz, who in 2022 became leader of Israel’s National Unity party, said: “They should support the campaign and they have to put some resources towards it, whether it’s energy or helping in the [Straits of] Hormuz area. Of course, the campaign is military, but there is also the diplomatic side, the judicial side, the economical side… there are things which can be accomplished in order to support the United States and Israel, which are carrying the burden of the situation.”

The former IDF chief of staff urged European nations “to do more, not just say something”. Asked to elaborate, he told the listening journalists that if a country had “oil reserves — use them to bring down the price. If you have weapons that you can send, please do so. If you can support with ships, or with logistic support — those governments definitely know what they can do.”

In a wide-ranging session, Gantz said that though the desired outcome of the campaign was regime change in Iran, he was not sure that this would happen. “It can happen, but I don’t know if it will”, he said, adding that he predicted the current conflict would continue for several more weeks at least.

Asked about what was happening in Lebanon, Gantz said that any future agreement would be contingent “on the Lebanese government dealing with Hezbollah. I think that the current government is more willing to do so. I’m in favour of it, but we [Israel] must continue to fight against Hezbollah. From our perspective, dismantling Hezbollah is not just the will, it’s the [necessary] outcome. Hezbollah is risking Lebanon for Iranian interests, nothing but that.”

He was not willing to rule out any escalation in Israeli operations in Lebanon, whether “boots on the ground” or air attacks on “significant areas beyond the Litani River.” Gantz added: “I would exclude nothing…but we have no territorial demands. We want to build security.”

The politician said he was aware of unhappy responses to the campaign from within the Gulf states and Saudi Arabia, but believed that this was unhappiness with Iran. “The missiles aimed at the Gulf states by Iran were to use as leverage against Israel — but it didn’t work”.

In conclusion, Gantz said that there was general unity of support inside Israel for the campaign. “There is no left or right in relation to Iran, only right and wrong — and Israelis believe this campaign is right”. His party, he said, would continue to back the government in the conflict. “As long as we see that the government is directing its activities to the war itself and not other bulls**t, we will be there for them.”