Israel’s Netanyahu Fires Defense Minister Gallant Amidst War, Political Turmoil
In a dramatic move amidst ongoing wars in Gaza and Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday, citing a breakdown in trust, CNN reports.
The decision comes as Israel faces a potential retaliatory attack from Iran and grapples with domestic political tensions.
Gallant, a close confidant of the US administration, was replaced by Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who has no significant military experience. Gideon Sa’ar, who is considered an influential figure amongst ultra-Orthodox parties, takes over as Foreign Minister.
The firing sparked immediate protests, with opposition leaders calling for mass demonstrations.
“Netanyahu is selling out Israel’s security and IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldiers for his despicable political survival,” said opposition leader Yair Lapid.
Netanyahu claimed the dismissal was due to irreconcilable differences with Gallant, which had become public and potentially aided Israel’s enemies. Gallant, however, attributed the decision to disagreements on several crucial issues, including the handling of hostages in Gaza, the need for an inquiry into Hamas’s October 7 attack, and the exemption of ultra-Orthodox Israelis from military service.
The move is seen as a strategic maneuver by Netanyahu to consolidate his control over the fragile right-wing coalition. His reliance on ultra-Orthodox parties has been a constant source of friction, and Sa’ar’s appointment is believed to strengthen his alliance with these groups.
The firing also coincides with the US presidential election, with Gallant playing a key role in maintaining strong military ties with the US. While US officials have reiterated their commitment to Israel’s security, the impact of this reshuffle on US-Israel relations remains uncertain.
The events surrounding Gallant’s firing come at a time of heightened tension for Israel. Two separate investigations, one examining alleged leaks of classified information by a Netanyahu aide, and another into potential tampering of cabinet meeting records, further underscore the political instability gripping the nation.
