If the rumor of his dismissal had been circulating since the summer, it was his temporality which surprised. In the middle of the day of the American elections, Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, on Tuesday, November 5, arguing that the bond of trust that united them had disappeared. Disagreeing with the prime minister over the management of the war, Yoav Gallant was the last supporter, within the cabinet, of an agreement to free the hostages, and campaigned for the conscription of the ultraorthodox.
Anger immediately pushed Israelis into the streets on Tuesday evening. “He was the least worst of the fascists in the cabinet, he really cared about people”castigates Shai, a young sociology student who went to demonstrate near Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem in the evening. “He fires or removes those who think differently from him, it’s the beginning of the dictatorship. In addition, “Bibi” chose his moment well: with the American elections, his hands were free. »
“Continue the war at all costs”
The current foreign minister, the very right-wing Israel Katz, was appointed to replace him. “We have real questions about why Gallant was fired and what motivates this decision”confided American administration officials to journalist Barak Ravid of the Axios site, hiding neither their surprise nor their concern.
This new poker move reshuffles the cards of Israeli politics, while Donald Trump, considered the ultimate ally, was officially elected president on November 6. “By thanking Gallant, Netanyahu is signaling his desire to continue the war at all costs. Trump, on the other hand, has regularly suggested that Israel must end its war. The relationship between the two has the potential to become conflictual”estimates Ephraim Sneh, who was a minister or vice-minister in four different Israeli cabinets. The Labor MP underlines that with the departure of Yoav Gallant, the Americans are losing a partner: “Katz is not experienced, it is Netanyahu who will decide everything. »
Netanyahu cannot say no to Trump
Benjamin Netanyahu was among the first heads of state to congratulate Donald Trump for “the greatest comeback in history”, speaking “of friendship” and of “strong recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America”. For the Israeli Prime Minister, it is a question of proving to the Israelis, largely pro-Trump, that with the support of the Republican, he can ensure a “total victory” in Gaza and Lebanon.
“Trump II will be different from Trump I, especially in terms of foreign policy, because he will not be obsessed with the return”anticipates Hasni Abidi, director of the Center for Studies and Research on the Arab and Mediterranean World (Cermam) in Geneva.
“He will want to continue what he started with the Abraham Accords, by consolidating the gains and expanding ties with Saudi Arabia, which will involve the signing of an agreement for the end of the war in Gaza. Netanyahu will not have as much free hand as he thinks. Unlike Biden, Trump will not hesitate to use economic or military tools to exert pressure. It will be more clear-cut. » And unlike Biden, Netanyahu cannot say no to Trump. Two and a half months separate the American elections from the inauguration of the 47th president. In the Middle East, that’s a long time for predictions.
