Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly close to firing Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. He faces pressure from right-wing coalition partners to replace Gallant with Gideon Sa’ar, a former ally now in the opposition.
Maariv, an Israeli newspaper, reports that coalition leaders have approved Netanyahu’s plan to add Sa’ar to the government. Channel 14 cites sources saying all obstacles to Sa’ar’s appointment have been cleared. The delay in the formal announcement is due to security concerns.
According to Israel’s public broadcaster, the official announcement about expanding the government and Gallant’s dismissal is expected soon. Sa’ar will reportedly assume the role of Defense Minister.
This isn’t Netanyahu’s first attempt to remove Gallant. The two have disagreed on various government policies, with recent tensions surrounding the Gaza war, hostage negotiations, and potential ceasefire agreements with Hamas. Critics from the centrist camp accuse Netanyahu of prioritizing political maneuvering over addressing the ongoing crisis.
Centrist lawmaker Benny Gantz expressed frustration on social media: “Instead of focusing on defeating Hamas, returning hostages, and managing the Hezbollah threat, the Prime Minister is distracted by political conflicts and replacing the Defense Minister.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, head of a nationalist party in Netanyahu’s coalition, has long called for Gallant’s removal. Ben Gvir argued that Gallant is not suited to handle the rising tensions with Hezbollah, stating, “We need to address the northern situation, and Gallant is not the right person for this task.”
In March 2023, Netanyahu fired Gallant after he urged the government to reject controversial judicial reforms. The decision sparked widespread protests, leading Netanyahu to reverse his move.
