Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant following a prolonged period of tension regarding domestic political issues and military strategies in Israel’s ongoing conflict.
In a statement released Tuesday evening, Netanyahu remarked that the trust between him and Gallant had deteriorated significantly over recent months.
As part of the cabinet reshuffle, Israel Katz, the current Foreign Minister, will take over as Defense Minister, while Gideon Sa’ar will step in as the new Foreign Minister. Gallant expressed his commitment to Israel’s security in a post on X, stating that it has always been his lifelong mission.
The decision to fire Gallant has been anticipated within Israel’s political sphere. There has been speculation that Netanyahu aimed to replace him with a more politically aligned figure to strengthen his coalition government, which has faced instability. The relationship between Netanyahu and Gallant has been marked by frequent disagreements, particularly concerning military tactics in Gaza and the government’s proposed judicial reforms.
Tensions escalated earlier this year when Gallant publicly opposed Netanyahu’s controversial judicial overhaul, which aimed to increase government control over judicial appointments. Despite facing the threat of dismissal, Netanyahu ultimately reversed his decision after significant political pressure.
The rift between the two has widened since Hamas’s recent attacks, with disagreements over military strategy and the enlistment of ultra-Orthodox men into the Israel Defense Forces further complicating their working relationship.
In the backdrop, Netanyahu has been under increasing pressure from far-right cabinet members who have long called for Gallant’s ouster. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated that the time for Gallant’s removal had come.
