Tensions have reached a boiling point in Israel following the dismissal of Defence Minister Yoav Gallant by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The controversial decision has sparked widespread protests, with demonstrators demanding Netanyahu’s resignation and calling for a more serious commitment to securing the return of hostages held by Hamas.
Netanyahu announced on November 5, 2024, that he had lost trust in Gallant, citing what he described as a “crisis of trust” between the two men.
Netanyahu explained that the erosion of trust had been a gradual process over recent months, exacerbated by differences in the management of Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Hamas.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz will replace Gallant, a move that has been met with widespread backlash from both the public and political opposition.
Gallant, in his response, said that his dismissal was the result of disagreements on three main issues. Foremost among these was his belief that Israel could bring back the hostages taken by Hamas in its October 2023 attack, but only through “painful concessions.”
Gallant further criticized Netanyahu’s handling of military service exemptions for Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox citizens and called for a national inquiry into lessons learned from the war.
The dismissal has sparked protests in major cities, including Tel Aviv, where demonstrators blocked roads and set fires on the Ayalon Highway.
Many protesters voiced their frustration with Netanyahu’s leadership, calling for his resignation and demanding that the new defence minister prioritize securing a deal for the return of the hostages.
“Netanyahu is endangering the whole country,” said one protester, Yair Amit. “Step down and let serious people lead.”
The timing of Gallant’s removal is significant, as it comes just over a year into the war in Gaza and on the same day as the US presidential election.
Gallant, who had cultivated a strong relationship with the White House, was seen as more moderate than Netanyahu on several issues, including the future of Gaza.
This has raised concerns about the future of Israel’s international partnerships, particularly with the United States.
Netanyahu’s decision also aligns with increasing pressure from far-right political figures within his coalition to pass legislation that would continue to exempt Ultra-Orthodox citizens from military service—a move Gallant had opposed.
This growing rift between Netanyahu and Gallant had been apparent for months, culminating in a public spat in May 2024, when Gallant expressed frustration over the lack of a post-war plan for Gaza.
Gallant’s removal from office is set to take effect in 48 hours, and the appointments of Katz and other new ministers will require government and Knesset approval.
Meanwhile, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum has condemned Gallant’s dismissal, urging the incoming defence minister to commit to an immediate resolution of the hostage situation.
As of now, around 100 of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023, remain unaccounted for, and many families are demanding a swift resolution to bring their loved ones home.
The protests, growing political divisions, and Gallant’s removal have added yet another layer of complexity to Israel’s ongoing conflict and internal strife, with the future direction of the war and the fate of the hostages hanging in the balance.