"We cannot afford to be held hostage by a terrorist who died while on hunger strike, there should be a decisive response. I trust the professional ranks in the Ministry of Defense - I absolutely do not trust the political ranks," Gantz claimed in an interview with Channel 12 News.
"We left for this government a balanced, determined and aggressive policy. Today I visited a kindergarten in Nir Am (a kibbutz located near Sderot, close to Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip -ed). While the children are going in and out of shelters - the government behaves like a kindergarten. Netanyahu is unable to control his people and his government. Extremism has met reality, this government is not running properly and not managed properly," he charged.
Gantz rejected the claims that he should join the government and balance it. "Netanyahu leads an extreme and evil government, and I have nothing to look for there. This spin is being sounded by more than one party in an attempt to weaken me. We must not permit the country to be a victim to the government's lunacy."
On the talks at the President's Residence in an attempt to reach a compromise on the judicial reform, he said, "I am happy about the talks and our people are sitting in the room with an open mind. The talks are good, but they are not making progress. I hope there will be a breakthrough. I will not lend a hand to a compromise of even one millimeter on democracy in everything related to the politicization of the judicial system. I would love to reach agreements that make sense on the remaining issues."
Gantz was asked about the strengthening of his party in recent polls and said, "The trend shows that people want normality and responsibility - and that's what I'm ready to offer. People are tired of the madness and they're right. They are telling us politicians: 'It's not just a voting slip, it's also our vote.'"
