Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed his defense minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday, November 5, with whom relations had become tense during the war in Gaza, and appointed the current head of diplomacy Israel Katz in his place.
“In the midst of war, trust is more than ever required between the Prime Minister and his Minister of Defense” more “in recent months, this confidence has eroded”, said Benjamin Netanyahu in a letter addressed to Yoav Gallant, adding that he “chose to appoint Minister Israel Katz to replace him”.
“Significant differences emerged between Yoav Gallant and myself in the conduct of the (military) campaign, accompanied by statements and actions that contradicted the decisions of the government and the cabinet”he added.
Yoav Gallant responded on “the security of Israel has been and will remain the mission of (his) life”.
Israel Katz, the « bulldozer »
The current head of diplomacy, Israel Katz, “has already demonstrated its capabilities and contributions to national security”wrote Benjamin Netanyahu to explain his choice.
Israel Katz served as finance minister, intelligence minister and headquarters “for a long time” at the security cabinet, he said. Nicknamed the « bulldozer »Israel Katz “combines the responsibility and calm problem-solving qualities that are essential to leading this campaign”.
A former general who became a politician, Yoav Gallant was nonetheless considered a “hawk” within the government in the conduct of operations since the bloody Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 on southern Israel, which triggered the war in Gaza.
Army numbers under pressure
After more than a year of war on several fronts, the army's numbers are under pressure and in recent months, it has drawn the wrath of the ultra-Orthodox parties, key allies of the prime minister's coalition, by ordering the conscription of 10,000 male members of this religious community old enough to serve under the flags.
They make up about 14 percent of Israel's Jewish population, or nearly 1.3 million people, and about 66,000 military-age men receive an exemption because they dedicate themselves to the study of Judaism's sacred texts. under a rule established at the creation of Israel in 1948.
In 2018, the question of their conscription had created such a crisis that it had precipitated the country towards several legislative elections in four years, without the subject being closed.
