Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired defense minister Yoav Gallant, saying there is a “trust problem” between them.
Netanyahu said in a statement that his trust in Gallant had “ceased” months ago and that Foreign Minister Israel Katz would replace Gallant.
Gallant wrote on social media that “the security of the state of Israel has been the purpose of my life and will always be my life”.
The eviction has sparked protests in the streets of Tel Aviv and opposition leaders have called for more public demonstrations.
Netanyahu and Gallant have long had a divisive working relationship, and in the past year there have been reports of shouting matches between the two men over Israel’s war strategy.
Gallant said a hostage release deal with Hamas should be prioritized before continuing the war in Gaza, a position rejected by the Prime Minister.
The former defense minister is also unhappy with plans to continue allowing Israel’s ultra-Orthodox citizens freedom from military service.
Months before the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, Netanyahu fired Gallant over political disagreements, before reinstating him following a public outcry.
But on Tuesday Netanyahu said: “In the midst of war, more than ever, full trust is needed between the prime minister and the defense minister.”
He said that although there was trust and “fruitful work” in the first months of the war, “in the last months this trust broke down”.
Netanyahu added that “big gaps were found between me and Gallant in the management of the campaign”.
These are “accompanied by statements and actions against the government’s decisions,” he added.
After his shooting, Gallant sent only a brief message to X, saying that Israel’s security “was and always will be my life’s work”.
His replacement Katz is seen as extremely hawkish in terms of military strategy.
Another Netanyahu supporter, Gideon Sa’ar – previously without a cabinet position – will be the new foreign minister.
Gallant’s removal will take effect in 48 hours. The appointment of new ministers requires the approval of the government and then the Knesset.
Netanyahu he first fired Gallant in March 2023 following disagreements over controversial plans to overhaul the justice system.
But he was forced to rescind his dismissal following massive public protests in several cities in Israel – an event known as the “Night of Glory.”
In May this year, Gallant expressed obvious frustration with the government’s failure to address the question of a post-war plan in Gaza.. Gallant wanted Netanyahu to publicly announce that Israel has no plans to take a military and military regime in Gaza.
It was a rare public sign of a split within Israel’s war cabinet over a military campaign.
“Since October, I have been constantly raising this issue with the cabinet,” said Gallant, “and I have not received an answer”.
Netanyahu responded that he is “not ready to exchange Hamas and Fatahstan,” referring to the rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah.
In response to Gallant’s removal on Tuesday night, members of the Israeli opposition called for public demonstrations.
A group representing the families of people kidnapped by Hamas in its October 7 attacks also criticized Netanyahu’s dismissal of Gallant, calling it a continuation of efforts to “torpedo” the release deal.
More than 100 of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas on 7 October 2023 remain unaccounted for more than a year into the war.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called on incoming minister Katz to “express a clear commitment to the end of the war and make a comprehensive agreement for the immediate return of all hostages”.
Gallant’s dismissal also happened on the day of the presidential election in the US – a key supporter of Israel in its war in Gaza – a moment noted by many Israeli media outlets.
Gallant was considered to have a better relationship with the White House than Netanyahu.
A White House National Security Council representative said on Tuesday: “Minister Gallant has been a valuable partner on all matters related to Israel’s defense. As close allies, we will continue to work closely with Israel’s next defense minister.”
Observers note that Gallant’s removal also comes at a time when Netanyahu is under pressure from far-right politicians to pass a bill that would continue to allow ultra-Orthodox Israeli citizens freedom from military service. Gallant had been opposed to the bill.
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