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    • Benjamin Netanyahu fires Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant – Israel News
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    Benjamin Netanyahu fires Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant – Israel News

    Kathleen William Posted on

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday evening that he would remove Defense Minister Yoav Gallant from office and replace him with Israel Katz, citing a “crisis of confidence” that was “gradually worsening.”

    The move is a stunning shift after the Prime Minister almost made a similar move in September but made a U-turn. United Right leader MK Gideon Sa'ar, who joined the coalition as minister without portfolio in late September, will replace Katz as foreign minister.

    Netanyahu made the announcement in a video statement on Tuesday evening, just hours after the crisis deepened with the United Torah Judaism party over the prime minister's decision to withdraw a bill that would encourage haredi yeshiva students to join to withdraw from IDF service.

    Gallant wrote on X/Twitter: “The security of the State of Israel has been and remains my life’s mission.”

    Gallant's dismissal will take effect in 48 hours. The appointment of Katz and Saar requires the approval of the government and then the Knesset.

    “My highest duty as Prime Minister of Israel is to ensure Israel’s security and lead us to a decisive victory,” Netanyahu’s statement said.

    “In times of war, more than ever, complete trust between the Prime Minister and the Defense Secretary is essential. While we initially had this trust in the first months of the election campaign and achieved a lot, this trust between me and I has unfortunately declined in the last few months. “The defense minister is undermined,” Netanyahu added.

    Israel Katz attends the special committee to oversee the Israeli Citizens' Fund in the Knesset, Israel's parliament in Jerusalem, on July 4, 2023. (Source: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

    “Significant differences”

    Netanyahu further noted, “Serious disagreements arose between Gallant and me regarding the direction of the campaign, with these disagreements accompanied by statements and actions that contradicted both government and Cabinet decisions.”

    “I have tried repeatedly to bridge this gap, but it has only widened. These issues even became public in unacceptable ways and, worse, became known to our enemies who enjoyed and benefited from them,” he explained.

    Netanyahu said of his choice of defense minister: “Katz has demonstrated his abilities and commitment to national security, both as foreign minister, finance minister and intelligence minister for five years, and as a long-standing member of the security cabinet.”

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    “He brings an impressive combination of experience and practical skills, known as 'Bulldozer', with quiet strength and responsible determination – all essential qualities for leading the election campaign,” the Prime Minister added.

    Netanyahu noted that Sa'ar's “years of experience as a member of the government and cabinet give him valuable insight into both political and security issues and he will bring great strength to our leadership.”

    “Night of the Gallant”

    The prime minister initially announced he would fire Gallant after he warned in March 2023 that the government's justice reforms would threaten national security. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in the so-called “Night of the Brave,” and Netanyahu backed down.

    The relationship between the prime minister and defense minister has deteriorated since the outbreak of war on October 7th. Gallant publicly accused Netanyahu of incorporating political considerations into his decision-making, while Netanyahu accused Gallant of trying to overthrow the government from within.

    Gallant is also an obstacle to Netanyahu's attempt to obtain a Haredi exemption from IDF service, and his removal could help Netanyahu resolve that issue as well.

    This is a developing story.



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    Kathleen William
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