‘Focus on Hamas’: Former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz warns Western actions ‘reward terror’ and ‘prolong the war’

Former Israeli Defense Minister and opposition Blue and White party chief Benny Gantz criticized the foreign ministers of several Western nations on Sunday, accusing them of taking actions that “reward terror and harden Hamas’ position” amid several diplomatic moves over the past weeks that were aimed at pressuring Israel to end the Gaza war.

“As an Israeli opposition leader, let me say this very clearly – instead of pressuring Israel, the west should focus on putting an end to Hamas leadership’s impunity abroad,” Gantz charged. 

His 𝕏 post came in response to a joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom and the High Representative of the European Union, condemning “the decision of the Israeli Security Cabinet on August 8 to launch an additional large-scale military operation in Gaza.” 

The statement said the cabinet decision “will aggravate the catastrophic humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of the hostages, and further risk the mass displacement of civilians.” 

The statement by the Western nations also called for “the implementation of a negotiated two-state solution as the only way to guarantee that both Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace, security, and dignity.” 

According to reports in Arab media, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is considering unilaterally announcing a Palestinian state during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September.

The report by London-based outlet al-Araby al-Jadeed (The New Arab) says the declaration will be symbolic and aims to support the recent international push for recognition of such a state.  

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is reportedly considering unilaterally declaring a Palestinian state at the UN in September, outlining borders and elections. Sources say it would be symbolic and without national consensus, 32 years after Oslo. pic.twitter.com/CkkDcdBGJD

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) August 10, 2025

The release of the foreign ministers’ statement comes as Australia has announced its intention to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly next month. It also came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was preparing to give a press conference defending Israel’s decision to expand the Gaza war in order to remove Hamas from power in the Gaza Strip. 

Gantz rejected the foreign ministers’ statement as misguided. 

“Actions like unilateral illusionary Palestinian recognition, weapon sanctions & critical letters of Israel are harming the prospects of securing a hostage deal,” Gantz wrote in his English response.

“Not only do they inadvertently reward terror and harden Hamas’ position – they are prolonging the war.” 

Actions like unilateral illusionary Palestinian recognition, weapon sanctions & critical letters of Israel are harming the prospects of securing a hostage deal.

Not only do they inadvertently reward terror and harden Hamas’ position - they are prolonging the war.

As an… https://t.co/zzllRCo7YV

— בני גנץ - Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) August 9, 2025

On Sunday, Geert Wilders, the leader of the Netherlands’ largest political party, the Party for Freedom, said he conducted a phone call with Netanyahu, expressing the support of “millions and millions of people in Europe.” 

“Just had a conversation by phone with Israeli PM Bibi Netanyahu,” Wilders wrote to 𝕏, using Netanyahu’s popular nickname.

“And I told him that besides criticism from weak politicians and biased media, there are millions and millions of people in Europe supporting him and his brave actions to free both Israel and Gaza from the terrorists of Hamas.” 

Just had a conversation by 📞 with Israeli PM Bibi @netanyahu and I told him that besides criticism from weak politicians and biased media, there are millions and millions of people in Europe supporting him and his brave actions to free both Israel and Gaza from the terrorists of…

— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) August 10, 2025

“His fight is our fight since we cherish life and freedom while they love death and destruction,” Wilders said, ending with the statement “#AmIsraelChai” (the people of Israel live). 

Wilders has been a staunch supporter of Israel while many Dutch politicians have taken a more critical tone since the beginning of the Oct. 7, 2023 Gaza War.