Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday fired the country’s Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
- Why it matters
Netanyahu’s decision in the midst of Israel’s multi-front war is being driven largely by domestic political pressure, including from members of his coalition government who are pressing him to pass laws that would benefit ultra-orthodox students who don’t serve in the military.
Gallant opposes the laws, while the ultra-orthodox parties in the coalition are threatening to topple the government if the laws aren’t passed in the coming days.
By firing Gallant, who was independent and challenged the Prime Minister’s policies regarding the war many times, Netanyahu will now have tighter control over national security decision making.
- The big picture
Gallant was the most trusted partner in the Israeli government for the Biden administration.
- State of play
Netanyahu announced he is appointing foreign minister Israel Katz as Minister of Defense.
Katz has no military background and limited experience on national security issues.
- Netanyahu also announced he is appointing Gideon Saar as Israel’s foreign minister.
What they’re saying: Netanyahu claimed he fired Gallant because of a lack of trust needed to work together.
“Significant gaps emerged between me and Gallant in the management of the war, and these gaps were accompanied by statements and actions that contradicted government and cabinet decisions,” Netanyahu said.
He claimed he made many attempts to bridge the gaps with Gallant “but they kept widening” and accused Gallant for making the disagreements between them public “which pleased our enemies who benefited greatly from it.”
Gallant issued a short statement in response: “The security of the State of Israel always was, and will always remain my life’s mission.”