Binyamin Netanyahu
Binyamin NetanyahuYonatan Sindel/Flash 90

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu asserted on Thursday that former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, who officially registered his new party earlier in the day, comes from the left side of the political map.

"It is none of my business how the left divides its votes," Netanyahu told reporters before leaving for Brazil, upon being asked about Gantz joining politics.

It was announced earlier on Thursday that Gantz's new political party will be named Hosen Leyisrael (Israel Resilience Party), ending the mounting speculation regarding the decorated officer's political future.

While Gantz was expected to throw his hat into the ring, it was unclear whether he would join an existing party or start his own. Reports on Monday had indicated that he may not be able to form a new party in time for the April 9 elections and will be forced to join an existing party.

In his remarks on Thursday night, Netanyahu also commented on the vandalism at the tombstone of the father of Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, and hinted that there was some connection between the publication of the report on the vandalism and the report which appeared in Israel Hayom on Thursday, and which claimed Netanyahu had threatened to attack Mandelblit "mercilessly" if the Attorney General publishes his decision regarding Netanyahu’s investigations before the elections.

The vandalism of Mandelblit’s father’s tombstone had taken place approximately 10 days before it was made public on Thursday.

"It turns out that the police are already investigating this, it was reported 10 days ago, and what is interesting to me is the timing of the publication, this evening, and the false headlines attributed to me. It raises interesting questions,” Netanyahu said.