Netanyahu Fires Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant—Citing ‘Crisis Of Trust’
by Ty Roush · ForbesTopline
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired defense minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday, after Netanyahu said trust between the two officials had “eroded” in recent months following disagreements over Israel’s war in Gaza.
Key Facts
Gallant was fired after “significant gaps on handling the battle” between Israel and Hamas emerged between the ministers, Netanyahu said in a video statement.
The “gaps” resulted in a “crisis of trust” that coincided with statements and actions by Gallant that contradicted decisions by the Israeli government and Netanyahu’s cabinet, according to Netanyahu, who said he made “many attempts to bridge these gaps, but they kept getting wider.”
Gallant, 65, said in a statement Israel’s security “was and always will remain my life’s mission,” though he did not reference his dismissal.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz will replace Gallant as defense minister, and Gideon Sa’ar will succeed Katz as foreign minister, Netanyahu said.
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Crucial Quote
“Unfortunately, although in the first months of the campaign there was such trust and there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and [Gallant],” Netanyahu said, adding, “full trust is required between the prime minister and the minister of defense.”
Key Background
A strenuous relationship between Netanyahu and Gallant has soured in recent months as Gallant opposed the Israeli government’s plans for war in Gaza. Netanyahu fired Gallant in March 2023, after Gallant reportedly opposed plans by Netanyahu’s cabinet to overhaul Israel’s justice system. Gallant was reinstated as Israel’s defense minister 15 days later, following mass protests across the country. Earlier this year, Gallant criticized Netanyahu for failing to produce a post-war plan that would implement an alternative government in Gaza to Hamas, resulting in criticism from other members of Netanyahu’s cabinet. In August, Gallant reportedly said Netanyahu’s goal for an “absolute victory” in Gaza was “nonsense.” Netanyahu subsequently accused Gallant of adopting an “anti-Israel narrative.”