Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. On Saturday night, Gallant issued a call to halt judicial reform. This evening he was summoned to the Prime Minister’s office and told by Netanyahu that he had lost confidence in him, after he worked against the government and the coalition while he was abroad. As Netanyahu told Gallant: “He did not coordinate his words with him early on and sabotaged efforts to reach a solution.”
Gallant said last night, “My life’s mission is Israel’s security. I’ve risked my life dozens of times, and this time too I’m willing to take the risk and pay the price. The threats are great – Iran is close to military nuclear capability, the northern front is not calm, and Palestinian terrorism is on the rise in the past few weeks.” “Something has happened. I am worried about what I hear in the field. I have never experienced such strong anger and pain as I see now. The IDF has been damaged. The division in society has permeated the IDF and this is a clear, immediate and tangible danger to the security of the state. I will not helping hand with that.” Gallant was referring to the phenomenon of army reservists refusing to come to duty because of legislation.
Gallant said, “I belong to the Likud, I say this evening, change is needed in the legal system, but fundamental changes of national importance must be made through dialogue.” “A victory for one side is a defeat for the country. We must lead a joint national operation that will preserve the strength of the Israeli army. I presented the security picture, and I said at this time the operation must be stopped in order to sit down and talk.”
“For the sake of Israel’s security, the legislative process must be halted and the people of Israel must be allowed to celebrate Passover and Independence Day together, and mourn together on Memorial Day. These are holy days. The demonstrations must be stopped, an outstretched hand for discourse must be stopped, and the refusal to serve must be ended. It is our duty to return to dialogue, we are brothers “.
In response to Galant’s dismissal, opposition leader Yair Lapid said, “The dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Galant only because he warned against harming Israel’s security is a new low for this anti-Zionist government, which harms national security and ignores warnings from security sources. Netanyahu can distance himself from Galant.” But he cannot get rid of reality and he cannot get rid of the people of Israel who stand against the madness of the coalition. The Prime Minister of Israel poses a danger to the security of the state. The State of Israel.”
Published by Globes, Israel business news – en.globes.co.il – on March 26, 2023.
© Copyright Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd., 2023.
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