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Benny Gantz

Israeli politician and retired army general

Benny Gantz, born in 1959, served as Chief of General Staff of IDF and later entered politics. He led Blue and White alliance and became leader of National Unity. Gantz served as Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, facing challenges like Operation Guardian of the Walls. In 2023, he became a minister without portfolio in the government.

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Benjamin NetanyahuDavid Ben-GurionYitzhak RabinHerzi HaleviBenjamin ThompsonGal GadotBen BernankeGolda MeirIsraelBenito Mussolini

Timeline

1959-06-09
Birth of Benny Gantz
Benny Gantz, a prominent Israeli general and politician, was born on June 9, 1959.
1977
Drafted into the IDF
Benny Gantz was drafted into the IDF in 1977 and volunteered as a paratrooper in the Paratroopers Brigade. He began his military career with various missions and operations, including serving as part of the security detail for Egyptian President Anwar Sadat's visit to Israel.
1978-03
Participation in Operation Litani
Benny Gantz fought in Operation Litani in March 1978 as a paratrooper, marking one of his early military involvements.
1978-06
Raid Against Fatah Training Base
Benny Gantz participated in a raid against a Fatah training base in Lebanon in June 1978 as part of his service as a paratrooper.
1979
Benny Gantz begins military career as a paratrooper and attends officer training
In 1979, Benny Gantz started his military career by becoming a paratrooper and undergoing officer training. This marked the beginning of his journey in the military.
1980-01-01
Education of Benny Gantz
Benny Gantz obtained a bachelor's degree in history from Tel Aviv University, a master's degree in political science from the University of Haifa, and an additional master's degree in National Resources Management from the National Defense University in the United States.
1991
Benny Gantz leads Operation Solomon for airlifting Ethiopian Jews to Israel
In 1991, Benny Gantz played a crucial role in leading the mass airlift of Ethiopian Jews to Israel in Operation Solomon. This operation was a significant humanitarian effort and a testament to Gantz's leadership.
2000
Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon
Benny Gantz oversaw the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon in 2000.
2001
Commander of the Israeli Northern Command
Benny Gantz became the commander of the Israeli Northern Command in 2001, after serving in various senior command positions and as Israel's military attaché in the United States from 2005 until 2009.
2006
2006 Lebanon War
Benny Gantz reentered Lebanon during the 2006 Lebanon War to recover two captured soldiers, which led to significant civilian casualties and displacement.
2011-02-05
Appointment as Chief of the General Staff
Benny Gantz was recommended by Defense Minister Ehud Barak to be appointed as the 20th Chief of the General Staff of the IDF after the canceled appointment of the previous nominee. The appointment was pending approval by the Turkel Advisory Committee on Senior Appointments and a government vote.
2011-02-13
Appointment of Benny Gantz as IDF Chief of Staff
On February 13, 2011, the Israeli government unanimously approved Benny Gantz to be the next IDF chief of staff. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Gantz's excellent officer and experienced commander, highlighting his rich operational and logistical experience.
2011-02-14
Benny Gantz becomes IDF chief
Benny Gantz assumes the position of IDF chief and expresses readiness to confront the upcoming challenges.
2011-02-15
Benny Gantz Serves as IDF Top General
Benny Gantz served as the Israel Defense Forces top general from 2011 to February 2015. During this time, he oversaw significant military operations against Hamas forces in Gaza.
2012-11
Operation Pillar of Defense
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Benny Gantz led the IDF during Operation Pillar of Defense in November 2012.
2013
Legion of Merit by the United States Armed Forces
In 2013, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Gantz was awarded the Legion of Merit by the United States Armed Forces.
2014-06
Operation Brother’s Keeper
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Benny Gantz led the IDF during Operation Brother’s Keeper in June 2014.
2014-07
Operation Protective Edge
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Benny Gantz led the IDF during Operation Protective Edge in July 2014.
2015
Honorary Doctorate from Bar Ilan University
In 2015, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Gantz was awarded an honorary doctorate from Bar Ilan University in recognition of his contributions to Israeli society.
2018-12-27
Benny Gantz registers new political party
On 27th December 2018, Benny Gantz registered a new political party, marking a significant development in Israeli politics.
2019-01-29
Gantz's Political Speech
In his first major political speech on 29 January 2019, Gantz pledged to strengthen Israeli settlement blocs in the West Bank and said that Israel would never leave the Golan Heights. He neither endorsed nor rejected a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
2019-02-17
Speech at Munich Security Conference
At the Munich Security Conference, Gantz enumerated the main challenges of the West as 'extremist Iran, Islamic terror, and regional instability'. He also criticized Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to bar U.S. Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib from entering Israel.
2019-02-21
United Gantz-Lapid party named 'Blue and White'
The United Gantz-Lapid party was named 'Blue and White', with the absence of women in the top 6 positions, indicating a significant decision in Israeli politics.
2020-03-26
Benny Gantz elected as Knesset speaker
On 26 March 2020, Benny Gantz was elected as the Knesset speaker, replacing Likud's Yuli-Yoel Edelstein who resigned. He made a vow not to serve under a 'corrupt leader' facing criminal charges.
2020-04-20
Unity Government Agreement
On 20 April 2020, Benny Gantz and Benjamin Netanyahu announced an agreement on a unity government following the 2020 legislative election. The deal involved both parties splitting power and Gantz and Netanyahu taking turns being prime minister.
2020-05-17
Benny Gantz becomes 1st Alternate Prime Minister of Israel
Benny Gantz assumed the role of 1st Alternate Prime Minister of Israel on May 17, 2020, serving alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a power-sharing agreement.
2020-06-29
Opposition to Netanyahu's Annexation Plans
On 29 June 2020, Benny Gantz expressed opposition to Netanyahu's annexation plans, emphasizing the need to prioritize the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020-12-23
Collapse of Gantz and Netanyahu's Unity Government
On 23 December, Gantz and Netanyahu's unity government collapsed, triggering new elections in March 2021.
2021-04-01
Gantz Becomes Acting Minister of Justice
Following the resignation of Avi Nissenkorn, Gantz became the acting Minister of Justice until 1 April 2021.
2021-04-27
Nomination of Ofir Akunis for Minister of Justice
Netanyahu nominated Member of the Knesset Ofir Akunis for the position of Minister of Justice in a cabinet meeting on 27 April 2021.
2021-06-13
Benny Gantz's term as 1st Alternate Prime Minister ends
Benny Gantz's term as 1st Alternate Prime Minister of Israel ended on June 13, 2021, following the agreed-upon duration of the power-sharing arrangement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
2021-11-17
Benny Gantz Set to Become Prime Minister
Benny Gantz was set to become the Prime Minister of Israel on 17th November 2021, but due to a coalition government formed in June 2021, Naftali Bennett became the Prime Minister with Yair Lapid as the alternate.
2022-05-30
Call for Designation of La Familia and Lehava as Terrorist Organizations
On 30 May 2022, Benny Gantz called for La Familia and Lehava to be designated as terrorist organizations following violence and racist remarks against Palestinians in the annual Dance of Flags.
2023-10-07
Israel-Hamas War
Benny Gantz joined Netanyahu's government in the aftermath of the terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, and was seen as the 'grown-up in the room.'
2024-02-18
Israel vows to 'finish the job' in Gaza
Israel vows to 'finish the job' in Gaza as a War Cabinet member threatens a Ramadan deadline for Rafah.
2024-02-21
New attempts at Gaza cease-fire
New attempts at a Gaza cease-fire are underway as Israel's Gantz expresses the need for it.
2024-02-22
Israeli strikes kill over 70 in Gaza
Israeli strikes result in the death of over 70 people in Gaza, and West Bank shooters kill an Israeli.
2024-03-03
Benny Gantz visits US
Benny Gantz, a rival of Netanyahu, visits the US, indicating wider cracks in Israel's wartime leadership.
End of the Timeline
Benny Gantz

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