Chaos in Israel: After months of rumors and leaks, the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu ha discharged the Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, choosing in his place Israel Katz, head of diplomacy. Gideon Sa'ar, leader of New Hope, was chosen as foreign minister. He joined the government coalition at the end of September to strengthen its ranks, amid criticism from the opposition for his about-face. In a video, Netanyahu explained that he had lost confidence in Gallant due to growing differences.
Israel: Netanyahu fires moderate Gallant, what happened
In a press conference after his ouster, a visibly emotional Gallant claimed he was fired for three questions which saw him clash with Netanyahu: "My firm position on universal lever, the commitment to bring the hostages home and the request for a State Commission of Inquiry into the October 7 Bankruptcy".
At the end, the now ex-Defense Minister gave a military salute, in honor of the hostages still held by Hamas.
Israel, the reaction of the square
Immediate the reaction of the square with thousands of protesters gathering in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, blocking the city's main artery Ayalon Highway, as in other places in the country, including a few hundred in Ashdod and Beer Sheva also in the north of the Jewish state, in Haifa, Nahariya, Rosh Pina, where gatherings have recently been banned due to the ongoing conflict against Hezbollah in LebanonThe opposition was very harsh in condemning the move by the Likud leader.
For the leader Yair Lapid is an “act of madness”: “No one, not even Netanyahu supporters, believes that Gallant was fired for professional reasons. He was fired because (Netanyahu) favored draft dodgers over those who serve. He was fired because of Netanyahu’s need for political survival in wartime.” The Hostage Families Forum criticized the move as a “direct continuation of the ‘efforts’ to undermine the kidnapping deal.”
The voice also made itself heardIsrael Business Forum, which represents the majority of private sector workers in the country, said firing Gallant and replacing him with a minister with no security experience in the midst of a war was a “dangerous move.” “A prime minister who prioritizes political survival and personal interests over the security of the country does not deserve to remain in office,” he said.
Press reports have said that Netanyahu is also considering ousting Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet leader Ronen Bar, but his office said it had spoken to the parties concerned and reiterated that it “looks forward to working with the new defense minister.”
The President Isaac Duke He did not refer to either Netanyahu or Gallant but stressed on X that “the last thing Israel needs right now is a subversion and a rupture in the midst of the war. Israel’s security must be above all considerations.”
Israel, the US surprise after Netanyahu's blitz
Even the US ally was surprised, focused on the elections for the new president, and that in Gallant he had a "trusted partner", the one with whom he maintained relations. A couple of hours after the announcement, the Pentagon spokesman, Patrick Ryder, said that "America's commitment to Israel's security remains ironclad and the US Department of Defense will continue to work closely with Israel's next defense minister". The reaction of the far right in power was enthusiastic, however. like Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister of National Security and leader of Otzma Yehudit, who called it a “right decision.” “With Gallant, who is still deeply trapped in his conception, it was impossible to achieve a complete victory.”
Already in March 2023 Netanyahu had ousted the Defense Minister, "guilty" of having publicly taken a stand against the controversial justice reform promoted by his government but the vast street protests had forced him to do so backtrackThe move comes now, coinciding with the long night of US elections.
