Political earthquake: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced this evening (Tuesday) that Defense Minister Yoav Galant has resigned.
In Galant's place, Israel Katz will serve as Minister of Defense and Gideon Sa'ar will serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Prime Minister said: "My supreme obligation as Prime Minister of Israel is to maintain Israel's security and bring us to complete victory. In the midst of war, more than ever, complete trust between the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense is required.
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
Unfortunately, although in the first months of the campaign there was such trust and there was very fruitful work, over the last few months this trust has been broken between me and the Minister of Defense. Significant gaps have emerged between me and Gallant in the management of the campaign, and these gaps have been accompanied by statements and actions that contradict government and cabinet decisions.
I made many attempts to bridge these gaps, but they kept widening. They also came to the attention of the public in an unacceptable way, and worse, they came to the attention of the enemy - our enemies were pleased with this and derived much benefit from it.
Different opinions in open debates, everyone knows, those who know me - this is my way of conducting the discussions and the assessments and decisions. Everyone knows this. But the crisis of trust that has been opening up between me and the Minister of Defense has become common knowledge, and this crisis does not allow for the proper continuation of the management of the campaign.
It's not just me saying this, most members of the government and most members of the cabinet, almost everyone shares this feeling that this cannot continue.
Important update from me to you >> pic.twitter.com/YlpNkaljRb
— Benjamin Netanyahu - Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) November 5, 2024
In light of this, I decided today to terminate the term of the Minister of Defense. In his place, I decided to appoint Minister Yisrael Katz to the position. Yisrael Katz has already proven his abilities and his contribution to national security as Minister of Foreign Affairs, as Minister of Finance, as Minister of Intelligence for five years, and no less importantly, as a member of the Political-Security Cabinet for many years.
"He brings with him an impressive combination of rich experience and execution ability. He is known as a bulldozer with a combination of responsibility and assertiveness, quiet assertiveness, and all of these are very important for managing the campaign.".
Netanyahu added: "I spoke today with Minister Gideon Sa'ar and suggested that he join the coalition with his faction and fill the position of Foreign Minister. As a member of the government and a member of the cabinet for many years, Gideon Sa'ar brings with him extensive experience and judgment in the fields of policy and security, and he will be a significant reinforcement to our leadership team.".
""His joining and the joining of his faction will add to the stability of the coalition and the stability of the government, and these are very important at all times, and especially in times of war.".
""I am convinced that these steps will strengthen the government and the cabinet, will transform them into bodies that will work together in harmony and cooperation for the security of the State of Israel, for the citizens of the State of Israel, for our victory.".
Behind the scenes of Gallant's firing:
A letter that was prepared for almost two years by email and sent tonight pic.twitter.com/IcoOtNnnBG
— Amit Segal (@amit_segal) November 5, 2024
Gallant He responded to his dismissal and wrote: "The security of the State of Israel has been and will always remain my life's mission.".
The official resignation letter that Netanyahu sent to Gallant read: “I would like to inform you that I have decided to remove you from your position as Minister of Defense. Your term in office will end within 48 hours from the date of delivery of this letter. I would like to thank you for your work as Minister of Defense.”.
Incoming Defense Minister Israel Katz: "I thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for the trust he placed in me in appointing me to the position of Defense Minister. I accept this responsibility with a sense of mission and sacred reverence for the security of the State of Israel and its citizens.
"We will work together to march the security establishment towards victory against our enemies and to achieve the goals of the war: the return of all the kidnapped as the most important moral mission, the destruction of Hamas in Gaza, the defeat of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the containment of Iranian aggression, and the return of the residents of the north and south to their homes in safety.".
