Amid the ongoing tensions escalated with Gaza and Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday, November 6, 2024, citing a ‘crisis of trust’ between them. His termination came out after the first failed attempt of Prime Minister Netanyahu last year in the country. The attempt to sack was failed as it led to the expansion of the biggest protests observed in Israel.
However, relations between the two never recovered, and now Netanyahu has appointed Israel Katz, the Israeli Foreign Minister, as the new Defense Minister.
Who is Israel Katz?
Katz served as Israel’s foreign minister from 2019 to 2020 and will be reappointed in 2024. He is a senior member of Netanyahu’s Likud party.
He is also a former member of the Israeli Parliament and has worked in other positions in the government, including the Minister of Finance, Transportation, Energy, and Agriculture.
His tenure as the foreign minister is defined by the regional conflict. He sought to defend Israel against the global, with Hamas in Gaza and then Hezbollah in Lebanon. Notably, both the military groups Hamas and Hezbollah are backed by Iran.
On the military front, Katz has never held any top position in the military, unlike Gallant, who was an experienced former general.
Gideon Saar, the leader of the National Right Party, has been appointed as the successor to take over the position of Foreign Minister.
Netanyahu Announces Trust Crises with Gallant
In a shocking announcement, the Israeli Prime Minister said that he has no longer trust in Gallant’s handling of Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
What led to the conflict between Netanyahu and Gallant
The relationship worsened gradually over time, especially during the early months of the conflict with Hamas. The conflict began to surface over Netanyahu and Gallant’s disagreements regarding security issues. The former Defense Minister took actions contradictory to the government’s decision. He was actively pushing for a deal to secure hostages held by Hamas. While Prime Minister Netanyahu was focusing on carrying out the military operations against it and conducting the war. These actions contributed to a ‘Crise of trust’ between the two.
Spark Protests Across Israel
Meanwhile, the elimination of Yoav Gallant has now sparked outrage and protests across the country. Thousands of people marched in Tel Aviv, protesting the dismissal of defense minister Yoav Gallant.
Many people believed that his elimination was politically directed. Critics argued that this move is influenced by the opposition’s certain policies, including handling the conflict with Hamas and proposing judicial reforms.
His terminations also raised questions on the government’s ability to manage the security of the country effectively.
Slogans against the government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were raised by people on Tuesday, stating, “We deserve better leaders” and “Leaving no one behind.” Some chanted, “Bibi Traitor! You’re guilty,” referring to the Prime Minister, holding him responsible for the October 7 Hamas attack that took place last year.
The protestors also blocked the traffic and lit fire on the highway at Tel Aviv, attired in t-shirts stating, “Bring them home now!” (Them referring to hostages). They also called on Gallant’s successor Katz to prioritize the hostage deal to return the captives still held in Gaza.
First Attempt by Netanyahu to Fire Gallant
In March 2023, Prime Minister Netanyahu first attempted to fire the former Defense Minister of Israel named Yoav Gallant due to his opposition to Netanyahu’s proposed judicial reforms.
Gallant warned the government that these reforms would affect Israel adversely and jeopardize the nation’s security. His stance was observed as a direct challenge to Netanyahu’s authority and policies. This move provoked Netanyahu to announce Gallant’s termination. But his dismissal led to widespread protests across Israel, which eventually made Netanyahu reverse his decision to fire Gallant at that time.
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Kanishka Malhotra is a seasoned journalist with a deep passion for reporting and uncovering the truth. With a specialization in research and investigative Journalism, she has covered wide range of topics related to social issues, travel, lifestyle, technology, Entertainment and much more. She believes to express and share her creativity to the world through words. With relentless pursuit of knowing and uncovering the truth, Kanishka continues to leave a mark in the world of journalism.
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