IRIA News

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Protests erupted across Israel following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The dismissal, announced on November 5, 2024, was reportedly due to a “crisis of trust” between the two leaders amid Israel’s wars on multiple fronts.

Gallant’s removal is only the latest episode in a turbulent relationship between the two officials, who have long disagreed on Israel’s military and domestic policies. Netanyahu explained that trust had “eroded” between him and Gallant during the wartime. The firing has sparked outrage, with thousands of Israelis pouring into the streets, particularly in Tel Aviv, to demand Netanyahu’s resignation and call for a prioritized resolution to Israel’s hostage crisis.

This firing notably centers on a disagreement involving three key issues: Gallant’s support for potential “painful concessions” to retrieve hostages held by Hamas, his belief in the necessity of universal military service for Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox population, and his advocacy for a comprehensive inquiry to assess Israel’s response to the 7 October Hamas attack.

Following his dismissal, Gallant took to social media, reiterating that “the security of the state of Israel was and will always remain the mission of my life.”

One of Gallant’s core disagreements with Netanyahu revolved around his approach to securing the return of hostages held by Hamas. Gallant suggested that Israel might have to make “painful concessions,” which he believes Israel can “carry” and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) can “bear.”

This view was seen as a departure from Netanyahu’s harder stance and sparked disagreement within the government. A group representing the families of hostages captured in the October attack publicly condemned Gallant’s removal, calling it a “continuation of efforts to torpedo a release deal.” The Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged the incoming defense minister, Israel Katz, to make the release of hostages a “priority mission.”

Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who is set to take over Gallant’s role, is known for his active stance on military matters, leading some to speculate that his approach to the ongoing conflict in Gaza will be less inclined toward compromise. Katz’s initial public statement expressed a strong commitment to “the return of all the abductees as the most important value mission” alongside other objectives, such as defeating Hamas, curbing Hezbollah, and countering Iranian influence in the region.

Nationwide protests erupt in Israel

In response to Gallant’s firing, thousands of Israelis took to the streets in Tel Aviv and other major cities. The protesters blocked traffic on the city’s main highway, some lighting fires and clashing with police.

Demonstrations spread to Jerusalem and other parts of the country, with people holding signs reading “We deserve better leaders” and “Leaving no one behind,” referring to the hostages still held in Gaza. Many protesters voiced frustration at what they perceived as the government’s mishandling of the war in Gaza and criticized Netanyahu’s leadership.

🚨🇮🇱 JUST NOW: MASSIVE PROTESTS in ISRAEL are still taking place against Netanyahu. pic.twitter.com/e0yBDMdeW5

— Jackson Hinkle 🇺🇸 (@jacksonhinklle) November 5, 2024

Netanyahu’s decision to remove Gallant comes at a crucial time. The prime minister is reportedly under pressure from far-right politicians to pass a bill that would continue exempting Ultra-Orthodox Israelis from mandatory military service, a policy Gallant opposes.

Netanyahu’s longstanding allies in the Knesset, especially representatives of Ultra-Orthodox parties, have steadfastly resisted mandatory service, creating further friction within his coalition.

Gallant, in addition to being a staunch advocate for hostages, has pushed for an official national inquiry into the October Hamas attack to prevent similar incidents in the future.

On Tuesday, he reiterated the need for “learning lessons” and understanding “Israel’s moral obligation to return the hostages.” Gallant’s dismissal is seen by many as a power move by Netanyahu to silence dissent within his cabinet and secure the support of the ultra-Orthodox parties.

International reaction

The firing has also garnered international attention. The White House National Security Council described Gallant as “an important partner on all matters related to the defense of Israel” and emphasized that the United States would “continue to work collaboratively” with his successor.

Gallant was viewed as a more moderate influence within Netanyahu’s cabinet and was well-regarded by the U.S. administration, which has shown support for Israel in its ongoing conflict.

Israeli opposition leaders have condemned Netanyahu’s actions. Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition, called the decision an “act of madness” and accused Netanyahu of “selling Israel’s security and the Israeli army soldiers for a disgraceful political survival.”

Meanwhile, former defense minister Benny Gantz, a key figure in the current political landscape, criticized the move as “politics at the expense of national security.”