Iruni Kalupahana JadeTimes Staff
I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Israel-Gaza War
Controversial Dismissal Sparks Outcry
Israeli opposition leaders united in condemning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent decision to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Gallant’s removal, replaced by Foreign Minister Israel Katz, comes amid heated political debates over the government's legislation that exempts the ultra Orthodox community from mandatory military service.
Benny Gantz, leader of the Israel Resilience Party and former defense minister, strongly criticized the decision, stating it compromises Israeli security. Gantz asserted that while this move threatens the nation’s spirit, it would not deter Israelis from resisting Netanyahu’s actions.
Broad Opposition Criticizes Netanyahu's Leadership
In a rare show of unity, prominent opposition figures, including Yair Lapid, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan, joined Gantz in issuing a joint statement against the prime minister.
Gantz vowed to oppose what he described as Netanyahu's attempt to rule "unchallenged," emphasizing that their stance reflects the views of a “large majority of Israelis,” not just Knesset members.
Lapid, in a social media post, accused Netanyahu’s Likud party members of being "cowards" for not opposing the dismissal publicly.
Gallant’s Reasons for Resisting Conscription Legislation
In a separate statement, Yoav Gallant attributed his opposition to multiple factors, including his views on ultra Orthodox conscription, Israel's "moral obligation" to retrieve hostages, and the importance of investigating the October 7 terror attacks.
His dismissal on the day of the U.S. elections appears to have been a strategic choice, as global and local media attention was focused on America, potentially overshadowing the fallout from his removal.
