Protests erupted across Israel Tuesday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing a deepening “crisis of trust” over war strategy and policy disagreements.
Netanyahu announced Israel Katz would replace Gallant, whose dismissal comes amid sharp disagreements over hostage negotiations and military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox citizens. “In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and the minister of defence,” Netanyahu said, noting trust had “eroded” in recent months.
Gallant, responding to his removal, identified three key points of contention: opposition to military service exemptions, support for a national inquiry into the war, and prioritizing the return of hostages. “I determine that it is possible to achieve this goal. It requires painful concessions, which the state of Israel can carry and the IDF can bear,” he stated regarding hostage negotiations.
Demonstrators quickly filled Israeli streets following the announcement, with many blocking traffic on the Ayalon Highway and demanding Netanyahu’s resignation. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum condemned the dismissal as an attempt to “torpedo” efforts to secure the release of roughly 100 hostages still held in Gaza since Hamas’s October 7 attack.
The firing mirrors a similar attempt in March 2023, when Netanyahu was forced to reinstate Gallant following massive public protests over judicial reform disagreements. “He didn’t fire Gallant after the first Gallant night, he will not do it after the second Gallant night,” said protester Yair Amit, calling for Netanyahu to “step down from his office and let serious people lead Israel.”
The timing of Gallant’s removal, coinciding with the U.S. presidential election, drew attention from Israeli media given his stronger relationship with the White House compared to Netanyahu. The White House National Security Council acknowledged Gallant as “an important partner” while pledging continued cooperation with his successor.
The shake-up also occurs as Netanyahu faces pressure from far-right politicians to maintain military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox citizens, a policy Gallant strongly opposed. The defense minister’s removal takes effect in 48 hours, pending government and Knesset approval.
In related moves, Netanyahu named Gideon Sa’ar as the new foreign minister, restructuring his wartime cabinet amid growing internal divisions over Gaza strategy and mounting public pressure for a hostage deal.
