If Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is elected again and does not face any criminal indictments, he is worthy of serving as prime minister, former IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. (ret.) Benny Gantz said Tuesday, at a conference on rural issues at the Sapir Academic College.
"I don't know everyone personally, but I have seen the prime minister at work close up, and to speak freely, that's the hardest job in the country, and shouldn't be discounted," Gantz said.
"He [Netanyahu] worries 24/7 about what happens here in every aspect of life, and he has to do that as part of a bunch of other political and diplomatic demands. It's a very hard job. It's easy to stand on the side and pummel the person who's carrying out the mission."
However, Gantz said he thought Israel should institute term limits for prime ministers.
"We need to pass a law setting term limits. I'm talking about any prime minister, not just Bibi [Netanyahu]. Staying in charge for a long time means losing the edge, and a reasonable term limit is appropriate," he said.
The former IDF chief also said he was "seriously" considering running in the next Knesset election.
"I haven't made any decision yet. … I'm considering it. It's not a question of [the] Left or where to go, but rather whether or not to do it. The reason to do it is because I really care. The national intersects with the personal," he said.
Speaking of the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, Gantz said the Hamas leadership bears responsibility for the situation in the coastal enclave and that Israel cannot shoulder the blame.
But he said Israel should help the residents of Gaza and allow them to work in Israel, despite the inherent security risk.
"There are people there. It's not a technical question. It [providing work to Gazans] is very humane, and in the end people need to have hope. We need to create that hope," he said.
"Although Hamas bears most of the responsibility, we need to take steps to find solutions to infrastructure issues. They need it, and it also helps us. We need to bring workers from Gaza to Israel. There is a certain risk in that, but it would be neighborly."
