Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing a breakdown in trust amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza with Hamas.
The Prime Minister announced the decision on Tuesday, noting that Foreign Minister Israel Katz will temporarily assume the defense portfolio.
In a statement, Netanyahu explained, “In recent months, trust has eroded. Therefore, I have decided to end the defense minister’s term.” Despite the dismissal, Gallant responded on social media platform X, reaffirming his dedication to Israel’s security, saying, “The security of the State of Israel was and will always remain the mission of my life.”
According to the Daily Mail, Netanyahu described the initial stages of collaboration with Gallant during the Gaza conflict as “fruitful.” However, he noted that trust had “cracked” over time. “I made many attempts to bridge these gaps, but they kept widening,” Netanyahu said, adding that internal disagreements became public and were reportedly exploited by Israel’s adversaries.
Katz’s move to the defense role means Minister without Portfolio Gideon Sa’ar will step in as Foreign Minister.
Gallant had previously voiced concerns about societal divisions impacting military morale and emboldening Israel’s enemies. “I see how the source of our strength is being eroded,” Gallant said last Saturday, referencing a debate over the recent decision to draft an additional 7,000 ultra-Orthodox Haredi Jews into the military. This controversy reportedly contributed to Gallant’s dismissal.
