Mr. Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant have frequently clashed over the Gaza conflict, yet Mr. Netanyahu had refrained from dismissing his adversary. Citing “significant differences” and a “trust crisis” between them, Mr. Netanyahu explained his decision.
In a surprising move amidst the country’s involvement in conflicts across the region, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the dismissal of his Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
In the ongoing conflict concerning the war in Gaza, Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant have frequently found themselves in disagreement. Surprisingly, Mr. Netanyahu had refrained from dismissing his counterpart until now. Mentioning “significant gaps” and a “crisis of trust,” Mr. Netanyahu highlighted the strained relationship between them during his announcement on Tuesday evening, dated November 5, 2024.
Mr. Netanyahu emphasized the critical need for unwavering trust between the Prime Minister and Defense Minister during wartime. He expressed regret over the deterioration of trust between them in the latter months, despite a strong and productive start to their collaboration in the initial phase of the campaign.
Amid the initial stages of the conflict, Israel’s top officials displayed a cohesive stance in addressing the assault by Hamas on October 7, 2023. However, as the conflict protracted and extended into Lebanon, notable divergences in policy viewpoints became apparent. Whereas Mr. Netanyahu advocated for sustained military coercion against Hamas, Mr. Gallant adopted a more practical stance, contending that the utilization of military might has set the stage for a potential diplomatic agreement aimed at securing the release of hostages detained by the extremist organization.
In a statement, Mr. Gallant, a former general known for his tough and straightforward demeanor, emphasized that safeguarding the state of Israel has been and will continue to be his lifelong dedication.
Throughout the duration of the conflict, Mr. Gallant consistently sported a plain black button-up shirt as a symbol of mourning for the tragic events of the October 7 attack. Additionally, he forged a close bond with his American counterpart, U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Netanyahu’s previous effort to dismiss Mr. Gallant in March 2023 led to extensive demonstrations against Netanyahu. He also toyed with the notion of ousting Mr. Gallant during the summer, but he ultimately waited until the announcement on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz, a loyal supporter of Netanyahu and a seasoned Cabinet Minister with a military background, will be stepping in for Mr. Gallant. Gideon Saar, a former rival of Netanyahu who has recently returned to the government, will assume the role of Foreign Affairs Minister.
Mr. Netanyahu is known for effectively dealing with his competitors. He stated that he had tried numerous times to close the divide with Mr. Gallant.
He expressed concern over their increasing width. Furthermore, he highlighted their inappropriate revelation to the public, which was compounded by the fact that our adversaries were not only aware but also took pleasure in it, reaping significant advantages,” he remarked.
