Israel’s Netanyahu fires his defense minister as wars rage. Protests break out across the country

JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired his popular Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday, in a surprise announcement that comes as the country is embroiled in wars on multiple fronts across the region. The move sparked protests across the country, including a mass gathering that paralyzed central Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu and Gallant have repeatedly clashed over the war in the Gaza Strip. But Netanyahu avoided sacking his rival before making the move as the world’s attention focused on the US presidential election. In a statement late Tuesday, Netanyahu cited “significant gaps” and a “crisis of confidence” in replacing Gallant with a longtime loyalist.

“In the midst of war, full trust between the prime minister and the defense minister is needed more than ever,” Netanyahu said. “Unfortunately, although in the first months of the campaign there was such trust and very fruitful work was carried out, in recent months this trust between me and the Minister of Defense has cracked.”

In the early days of the war, the Israeli leadership presented a united front in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. But as the war dragged on and spread into Lebanon, key political differences emerged.

While Netanyahu called for continued military pressure on Hamas, Gallant took a more pragmatic approach, saying military force had created the necessary conditions for at least a temporary diplomatic deal that could bring home hostages held by the militant group.

In a nationally televised late-night press conference, Gallant said he disagreed with Netanyahu on three major issues: the need to end controversial military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men, the urgent need for a hostage deal, and the need to create a formal commission of inquiry. political and security failures that occurred on October 7, when Hamas militants swept into Israel and killed 1,200 people and took another 250 hostage. Israel estimates that about 100 hostages remain in captivity, of which only about 65 are alive.

Since military service is mandatory for most Jews, Gallant said the ultra-Orthodox conscription is both a matter of justice and security at a time when Israel faces so many challenges.

He said a deal for the hostages was needed “as quickly as possible while they are still alive” and said neglecting them would not be “forgiven.” And he said a full investigation into the events of October 7 was the only way to ensure the government learned the right lessons. Netanyahu has rejected calls for an investigation, saying it should only take place after the war is over.