Benny Gantz

Benny Gantz
בני גנץ
1st Alternate Prime Minister of Israel
In office 17 May 2020 – 13 June 2021
Prime Minister	Benjamin Netanyahu
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Yair Lapid
Ministerial roles
2020–	Minister of Defense
2021	Minister of Justice
2021–	Deputy Prime Minister
Faction represented in the Knesset
2019–	Blue and White
Military roles
2011–2015	Chief of the General Staff
Other roles
2020	Speaker of the Knesset
Personal details
Born	Benjamin Gantz (1959-06-09) 9 June 1959 (age 65) Kfar Ahim, Israel
Political party	Blue and White (2019-present)
Spouse(s)	Revital
Children	4
Alma mater	Tel Aviv University Haifa University National Defense University
Military service
Allegiance	Israel
Branch/service	Israel Defense Forces
Years of service	1977–2015
Rank	Rav Aluf
Unit	Paratroopers Brigade
Commands	890 "Efe" (Echis) Airborne Battalion (1987–1989) Shaldag Unit (1989–1992) Reserve Paratroopers Brigade (1992–1994) Judea Regional Brigade (1994–1995) Paratroopers Brigade (1995–1997) "Etgar" Division (1998–1999) Lebanon Liaison Unit (1999–2000) Northern Corps (2001), Judea and Samaria Division (2000–2002) Northern Command (2002–2005) Ground Forces Command (2005–2007) Military Attaché in the United States (2007–2009) Deputy Chief of General Staff (2009–2010) Chief of the General Staff (2011–2015)[1]
Battles/wars	1978 South Lebanon conflict 1982 Lebanon War South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000) First Intifada Second Intifada 2006 Lebanon War Operation Summer Rains Operation Cast Lead Operation Pillar of Defense Operation Protective Edge
Awards	Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States)

Benjamin "Benny" Gantz (Hebrew: בנימין "בני" גנץ; born 9 June 1959) is an Israeli politician and general. In March 2020, Gantz was elected Speaker of the Knesset. He was the 20th Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces from 14 February 2011 to 16 February 2015.^[1][2] In May 2020, he became the Alternate Prime Minister of Israel.

Gantz was set to become Prime Minister on 17 November 2021,^[3] however after a coalition government was formed in June 2021, Naftali Bennett became prime minister with Yair Lapid as the alternate.

Since 13 June 2021, Gantz has been both justice minister and deputy prime minister in the Bennett-Lapid Government.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz Appointed 20th IDF Chief of the General Staff". Israel Defense Forces. 14 February 2011. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
2. ↑ Haaretz Service (14 February 2011). "Gantz takes over as IDF chief: I am ready to face the challenges". Haaretz. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
3. ↑ Gil Hoffman (17 May 2020). "New Israeli government finally under way". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 18 May 2020.