(VitalNews.org) – Exposing deep rifts in Israel’s war strategy, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shockingly fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Disagreements over Gaza and Lebanon drove this decision, which ignited widespread protests and raised concerns about national security.
The prime minister cited “significant gaps on handling the war” and a “crisis of trust” as reasons for Gallant’s removal.
This rift became apparent as Gallant called for a cease-fire in Gaza to secure the release of hostages, a position Netanyahu did not support.
The decision has sparked outrage across Israel, sparking massive protests near the prime minister’s home in Jerusalem and in Tel Aviv.
Many view Gallant as a moderate voice within the government on security matters and his removal has raised concerns about the future direction of Israel’s defense policies.
Gallant’s dismissal goes beyond just war strategy. The former defense minister had been pushing for the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Israelis, a controversial issue in Israeli society.
“My firm stance is that every military-age person must be enlisted. They must serve in the Israel Defense Forces and defend the State of Israel. This is no longer just a social issue. It is a paramount issue for our security and existence,” Gallant stated.
Netanyahu’s decision has drawn both support and criticism from within his government. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir backed the move, stating, “With Gallant…it is not possible to achieve absolute victory.”
However, opposition leader Benny Gantz slammed the firing as “politics at the expense of national security.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum also expressed deep concern about the impact on hostages currently held by Hamas, fearing that this political chaos could jeopardize ongoing negotiations.
The implications of Gallant’s dismissal extend beyond Israel’s borders. At Netanyahu’s request, a planned meeting between Gallant and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was postponed.
“In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and the minister of defense,” Netanyahu revealed.
“Unfortunately, although in the first months of the campaign there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the minister of defense,” he added.
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