Netanyahu Fires Defence Minister Yoav Gallant Due To Trust Issues Amid Gaza Conflict

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the removal of Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on November 5, coinciding with the US elections, according to a statement from his office.

This decision follows a series of clashes between Netanyahu and Gallant during the ongoing Gaza conflict, marking a significant shift in leadership amid wartime challenges.

Netanyahu had previously resisted calls to dismiss Gallant, even after an earlier attempt to remove him in March 2023 sparked widespread protests against the Prime Minister. In the latest reshuffle, Israel Katz, the current foreign minister, will step into the role of defence minister, while Gideon Sa’ar will replace Katz as foreign minister.

In his statement, Netanyahu emphasized, “My highest duty as prime minister of Israel is to safeguard Israel’s security and lead us to a decisive victory.” He underscored the necessity of maintaining complete trust between the prime minister and the defence minister, which he claimed had eroded over recent months.

“Serious differences emerged between Gallant and me concerning the management of the campaign,” Netanyahu stated, adding that despite his attempts to reconcile their differences, the gaps only widened. The Prime Minister expressed concern that these issues had become public, potentially emboldening adversaries.

The announcement came shortly after tensions rose with the United Torah Judaism party over Netanyahu’s decision to retract a bill aimed at encouraging haredi yeshiva students to refrain from IDF service.

This leadership change highlights the ongoing challenges within Israel’s political landscape as it navigates complex security issues.