Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who is set to be replaced by Israel Katz, Israel’s foreign minister, Haaretz reported.
In a statement, Netanyahu stated that while there had been productive cooperation in the early months of the war, significant differences in strategy had emerged between him and Gallant in recent months. “At a time of war, full trust between the prime minister and the defense minister is critical,” Netanyahu said. “Unfortunately, this trust has eroded, and attempts to bridge the gaps have failed.”
He noted that the differences were not only made public in an “unacceptable manner” but had also reached Israel’s enemies, who had “derived great benefit” from the situation. Netanyahu announced that Israel Katz, a veteran politician and former minister of foreign affairs, finance, and intelligence, would replace Gallant as defense minister. Describing Katz as a “bulldozer” with a combination of “responsibility and quiet determination,” Netanyahu praised his extensive experience and leadership, saying Katz was well-equipped to lead the defense effort during this critical period.
Gideon Sa’ar, who was a minister without a portfolio, will assume the role of foreign minister, it added.
The Israeli media mentioned that Netanyahu informed Gallant that he would sack him 10 minutes before issuing the decision, adding that the meeting between the two Zionist officials lasted only for three minutes.
Israeli media mentioned that, following the dismissal of “Defense Minister” [War Minister] Yoav Gallant, calls were made to take to the streets as of 9:00 pm.
The headquarters of the families of “Israeli” captives in the Gaza Strip considered that the dismissal of the “Defense Minister” [War Minister] is a direct continuation of efforts to sabotage the captive exchange deal.
Head of the Israeli opposition, Yair Lapid, said that Gallant dismissal endangers entire ‘Israel’ for the sake of shameful political leverage.
Former “Israeli” War Minister “Avigdor Lieberman” said that, if the Defense Minister can be replaced in the midst of a war, then it is also possible to replace a Prime Minister who has failed in his duties and neglected “the country’s” security, and certainly to establish a governmental investigative committee.
Yair Golan, who heads Israel’s new center-left party The Democrats, took to X to urge Israelis to take to the streets in protest. In late March, thousands protested spontaneously against Netanyahu’s decision to fire Gallant, which was ultimately rescinded.
Source: Al-Manar English Website
