Gantz: Regrettably, we’re heading toward a binational state

Outgoing Israeli Defence Minister, Benny Gantz, said on Sunday that during his tenure the ministry strengthened ties with Jordan and Egypt, and warned that Israel is heading toward a binational state.

During the handover ceremony, he told the incoming minister, Likud’s Yoav Gallant, that the ministry maintained and widened military superiority over its neighbours during the past two and a half years.

He also said that partnership with the United States intensified and military equipment for the Israeli army were guaranteed for decades.

Gantz stated that his ministry “deepened its relations with Jordan and Egypt, and signed more than 100 defence cooperation agreements, including unprecedented ones with the neighbouring countries.”

At the same time, the defence ministry, he said, deterred the repositioning of Iran on the northern borders and maintained freedom of carrying out air strikes in response to any development.

“While we prepared power to attack Iran, we have to continue working with our partners under the US leadership to see how to use force against Iran,” he said, stressing that “this should coincide with seeking Iran’s isolation.”

On the Palestinian issue, he said: “Unfortunately, we are heading toward a binational state, and this might undermine Israel’s vision of being a democratic Jewish state.”

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