Former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced this Wednesday evening, in an official statement, that he would resign from the Knesset. “I served the country for 35 years in the Israeli army,” he said, “and a decade in the government and the Knesset. This is a long stage on a route that is not yet complete. There are times when you have to stop and review your journey.”
Gallant stressed that he would not leave Likud. “The Likud path is my path, I have faith in this party and I have confidence in its members and its voters. Since I voted for the Likud party for the first time in my life and was a partner in Menachem Begin's revolution, I have remained faithful to the national and ideological path of the movement.
Gallant recalled what he achieved during his tenure as defense minister: “I led defense during 13 months of war, which allowed Israel to achieve a military victory in the seven-front war . In Gaza, we managed to eliminate the leadership of Hamas, which ceased to function as a military organization. Along the way, I have emphasized the need to confront internal divisions, which constitute a weak point and a clear and immediate danger to Israel's security.”
Gallant further declared: “I am proud of the defense achievements, I trust the commanders and the fighters – the security of Israel was and still is my life's mission and I am committed to it. I say here, in the clearest and most explicit way, that we still have difficult challenges ahead of us. vis-à-vis Iran and its proxies in the region. The defense system is strong, we strike our enemies and defeat them. But the battle is not over, unfortunately we are condemned to live many more years on our swords, it is better that the sword is held in our hands and not on our necks.”
“Here, on this occasion,” Gallant said, “I would like to pay tribute to those who fell and their families, to the wounded and disabled, to those kidnapped and their families, and to the IDF fighters wherever they are found. I trust in you and I salute you.”
Yoav Gallant announced his resignation two months after being informed by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that he was ending his mandate. Gallant was fired due to disagreements between him and the coalition on various issues, including the conscription law and the agreement with Hamas.
Gallant served as Defense Minister during the 'Iron Sword' war which erupted following the terrible massacre carried out by Hamas terrorists on Shabbat Simchat Tora, October 7, 2023, in southern Israel. It should also be remembered that the Prosecutor General of the International Criminal Court in The Hague has filed a request for an arrest warrant against him, as well as against Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Gallant's political career began in 2015, when he joined the Kulanu party led by Moshe Kahlon. He then left the party and joined Likud, where he was appointed Minister of Aliyah and Integration. In 2020 he served as Minister of Education, and in 2022 he was appointed Minister of Defense.
