Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has removed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant from his position, naming Israel Katz as the new Defence Minister.
The announcement was made through a video on Netanyahu’s official X account, emphasizing rising tensions in the Israeli government amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, which began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.
According to Sky News, Netanyahu said a “crisis of trust” led to Gallant’s dismissal. He stated, “In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the Prime Minister and Defence Minister.”
Netanyahu explained that while they initially worked well together, trust had “weakened” over recent months due to disagreements on key policies.
Netanyahu and Gallant had frequent disagreements about Israel’s military plans in Gaza. Netanyahu wanted to keep strong military pressure on Hamas, while Gallant reportedly wanted to consider negotiations to free Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
After his removal, Gallant, a former general, expressed his dedication to Israel’s security, saying, “The security of the state of Israel always was, and will always remain, my life’s mission.”
This leadership change has sparked political concerns. Alistair Bunkall, Sky News’ Middle East correspondent, called the move “risky,” suggesting that some may see it as a political move by Netanyahu.
Gallant’s removal also comes amid debates about the IDF draft policy for Haredi Jewish students, which Gallant supported.
This is not the first time Netanyahu has tried to dismiss Gallant; a similar attempt in March 2023 led to widespread protests and a government reshuffle.
Netanyahu also announced Gideon Saar as the new Foreign Minister in further changes to the government.
