Netanyahu fires Defense Minister Galante – what we know

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fires Defense Minister Joff Galante. According to a statement from the head of the government office, he has lost trust in the minister.

Who will be the new Defense Minister?

The successor should be former Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who will be succeeded by former Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.

Israel Katz should follow in Joav Galant's footsteps.Image: trapezoid

“While trust existed and the work was very productive during the first months of the war, this trust between the defense minister and I has unfortunately broken down in recent months,” Netanyahu wrote. Adding that Galante made decisions and statements that contradicted those of the cabinet. Most cabinet members agreed with him.

How did Geoff Galante react?

Natanyahu said that it is his highest responsibility to maintain Israel's security and lead Israel to a complete victory. Gallant also commented. “The security of the State of Israel has always been my life’s mission and will always be,” he stressed.

Netanyahu fired Galante last March after publicly calling for an end to a controversial judiciary reorganization plan and warning that national security could be seriously compromised. His dismissal sparked violent protests and a general strike. The head of government suspended the program at the time, and Galante's dismissal was later reversed.

How did the opposition react?

Opposition members criticized the dismissal decision. Opposition leader Jair Lapid called Galante's dismissal during the war an act of madness. He called on Israelis to protest. Opposition Labor Party leader Jair Golan wrote on the X platform: “Take to the streets.” According to the Times of Israel, hundreds of people immediately responded to the call in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

“Politics comes at the expense of national security,” complained National Alliance Chairman Benny Gantz, a former member of Netanyahu’s now-defunct wartime cabinet. However, right-wing police minister Ben Gvir welcomed the sacking. For Gallant, he said, “a complete victory was impossible.”

How did the Israeli media react?

Israeli media reported some time ago that Galant publicly opposed major military operations in Lebanon, while the military community was in favor. Netanyahu has also backed calls for military action, at least externally. Galante, on the other hand, wants to be given more time for diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement with the Lebanese Shia militia Hezbollah and achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.

Israel is fighting a tough, multi-front war with Hamas in Gaza and the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. The country is also under attack from militias loyal to Iran in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. The conflict with Iran itself has been brewing for decades and has now exploded into the open. Israel is currently preparing for a possible Iranian counterattack. The war was triggered by the massacre launched by Hamas and other extremists in Israel's Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 deaths and about 250 people kidnapped. (HKL/SDA/DPA)