The defense portfolio is held by those who are considered in government, for better or worse, as the midpoint between right and left.
Bnei Gantz has the keys to a portfolio that holds security explosives, but no less so political explosives in an already sensitive coalition.
He is required to make decisions that could hurt the soul of the left-wing parties on the one hand, and those that could embarrass Prime Minister Bennett, members of Tikva Hadasha and especially perhaps Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked, who continues to see the ideological right as her home.
In recent weeks, while the leaders of the coalition parties have received extensive media coverage following intra-coalition clashes, Ganz has been playing in both directions.
On the one hand, the Defense Minister decided after the Wall Guard operation to strengthen the Palestinian Authority, so he met with Abu Mazen in a meeting that caused a political uproar.
During the meeting, it was determined while Netanyahu was prime minister, and was rejected at the last minute by Ganz in order not to harm the process of forming the change government.
As part of strengthening the authority, Gantz infuriates right-wingers and causes Naftali Bennett a headache, but not just the visit itself.
Let us not forget the approval he gave for the construction of more than a thousand housing units for Palestinians in Area C, after more than a decade before such a number of units;
Or approval for the registration of Palestinians who fled the Gaza Strip and are in Judea and Samaria, or lack other documentation, in the Palestinian population register - a step that many on the right see as desecrating the status quo.
Michaeli on the decision to declare Palestinian "rights organizations" as terrorist organizations: "Caused damage to relations with our great friends" // Photo: Knesset Channel
At the same time, as mentioned, he winks to the right. Just last week, Ganz, with the support of Prime Minister Bennett, approved the construction of thousands of housing units in Judea and Samaria within the Supreme Planning Council, signed orders against Palestinian "human rights" organizations as part of the war on terror, and played a role in formulating the Eviatar compromise. He told his associates at the time that he was doing so both to prevent a violent and unprecedented evacuation that had not been the case since Amona, and also so as not to shock the coalition.
Precisely against the background of the coalition pendulum, Ganz is a stable anchor - political and security. He enjoys his status as an authority on pure security issues, and as one that is acceptable to a wide range of parties - from the settlers to the American Democratic administration, which sometimes makes the steps he takes more acceptable. Gantz is not suspected of doing more politics than security. On the other hand, politically, it is convenient for everyone to attack him and maintain the integrity of the coalition. Bennett said this week at a cabinet meeting that Gantz is responsible for the decree declaring terrorist organizations linked to the Popular Front; Ministers Handel, Elkin and members of New Hope attacked him for the decision to meet with Abu Mazen. On the other hand, members of Meretz and Labor enjoy the ability to attack him on decisions regarding construction in Judea and Samaria or the publication of orders, thus not having to attack the prime minister.
Ganz enjoys this status of the center man, both because he gives it political prominence, and perhaps also because it really is.
Like the city mouse and the village mouse, it has both.
He has both, and in the long run, he and his people believe he will only benefit from it.
