Israel-Hamas war: Why Netanyahu fired his Defense Minister Yoav Galant in the middle of the war in Gaza and Lebanon
image Source, reuters
- Author, John Donnison and George Wright
- Author title, BBC News Jerusalem and London
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired his Defense Minister Yoav Galant on Tuesday, maintaining that there is a “crisis of confidence” among them.
Netanyahu said in a statement that his confidence in Galant had “declined” in recent months.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz will replace Galant, Netanyahu said.
Gallant’s firing has already sparked protests on the streets of Tel Aviv, and opposition leaders have called for large public demonstrations.
Netanyahu and Gallant have long had a contentious working relationship, and there have been reports of shouting matches between the two men since last year Israel’s war strategy in Gaza.
Gallant argued that a hostage release agreement with Hamas should be prioritized before continuing the war, which the Prime Minister rejected.
image Source, reuters
The former defense minister is also unhappy with Israel’s plan to continue exempting ultra-Orthodox citizens from military service.
In October 2023, a few months before the war in Gaza began, Netanyahu fired Galant over political differences, before reinstating him after mass protests.
But on Tuesday Netanyahu said in a statement, “In the midst of war, more than ever, there is a need for complete trust between the prime minister and the defense minister.”
The President reported that, although it had happened Confidence and “fruitful work” in the first months of the military campaign, this belief was shaken During the last few months.”
Netanyahu said that “significant differences were found between Gallant and me in the management of the campaign.”
These gaps, he said, were “accompanied by statements and actions that are contrary to the government’s decisions.”
Following his dismissal, Gallant posted a brief message on X, saying that Israel’s security “was and always will be my life’s mission.”
substitute
image Source, reuters
His replacement, Israel Katz, is considered even more aggressive in terms of military strategy.
Gideon Saar, another Netanyahu ally who has not previously held a cabinet portfolio, will become the new foreign minister.
Gallant’s dismissal will be effective within 48 hours. The appointment of new ministers requires the approval of the government and then the Knesset.
Netanyahu first fired Gallant in March 2023 after disagreements over the prime minister’s controversial plans to reform the Israeli judicial system and strip power from the country’s Supreme Court.
But he was forced to withdraw his dismissal after massive public protests in several cities in Israel, known as the “Gallant Night”.
In May this year, Gallant openly expressed his frustration at the government’s failure to address the issue of post-conflict planning for Gaza. Gallant wanted Netanyahu to publicly declare that Israel had no plans to assume civilian and military rule in Gaza.
It was a rare public indication of division within Israel’s war cabinet over the direction of the military campaign.
“Since October, I have been continuously raising this issue with Cabinet and have received no response,” Gallant said.
Netanyahu said he was “not willing to trade Hamas for Fatah”, referring to rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah.
image Source, reuters
In response to Gallant’s expulsion on Tuesday night, members of Israel’s opposition political parties called for protests.
A group also represents the families of those taken hostage by Hamas in the October 7 attack Netanyahu condemned Galant’s dismissal as a continuation of efforts to “torpedo” the release deal.
Of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023, more than 100 remain missing after more than a year of the war.
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum called on incoming Minister Israel Katz to “express a clear commitment to concluding a comprehensive agreement to end the war and the immediate return of all hostages.”
Gallant’s dismissal also comes on the day of presidential elections in the US, Israel’s main ally in the war in Gaza. A fact that did not go unnoticed by various Israeli media.
Gallant was considered to have a much better relationship with the White House than Netanyahu.
A representative of the White House National Security Council said Tuesday, “Secretary Gallant has been an important partner in all matters related to Israel’s defense. As close partners, we will continue to work closely with Israel’s next Secretary of Defense “
Observers say Gallant’s removal comes at a time when Netanyahu is under pressure from far-right politicians to pass a bill that would exempt Israel’s ultra-Orthodox citizens from military service.
Gallant opposed the bill.
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