Nahost-Ticker: Netanyahu Fires Defense Minister Gallant
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, replacing him with former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz.
The move comes amid tensions within the governing coalition, with Gallant reportedly clashing with Netanyahu over policy decisions.
Gallant, a member of the right-wing Likud party, had served as defense minister since December 2022. He is a former general who led the Israeli military during the 2014 Gaza war.
Gantz, who leads the centrist National Unity party, is a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He was defense minister in the previous government led by Naftali Bennett.
The change in defense ministers is expected to have a significant impact on Israel's security policy. Gallant was seen as a hawk, while Gantz is considered more moderate.
It is unclear what prompted Netanyahu to fire Gallant. Some reports suggest that Gallant had clashed with Netanyahu over policy decisions, particularly regarding the ongoing conflict with the Palestinians.
Others speculate that Netanyahu may have been seeking to shore up support within his coalition by replacing Gallant with Gantz, who is seen as a more centrist figure.
The dismissal of Gallant has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised the move, arguing that Gantz is a more experienced and capable defense minister. Others have expressed concern that the change will weaken the government and make it more difficult to address the security challenges facing Israel.
