People In Israel Are Holding Huge Protests After Netanyahu Fired The Defense Minister
Netanyahu and Gallant had shared differences on strategies involving the genocide in Gaza, with Gallant criticizing Netanyahu’s aim for “absolute victory,” which he called “nonsense".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed his Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, triggering widespread protests across the country.
Netanyahu announced this decision late on Thursday Nov. 5, citing"crisis of trust" between him and Gallant during Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.
In a video, Netanyahu said that while he initially trusted Gallant, the trust “cracked” during the last months.”
He added that he and Gallant faced “significant gaps” in the “management” of the war in Gaza and that Gallant’s statements and actions went against government decisions.
Netanyahu went on to say despite his efforts, the gaps became wider and eventually“came to the knowledge of the enemy”, adding that “our enemies enjoyed it and derived a lot of benefit from it.”
Within hours of Gallant’s dismissal, thousands of Israelis took to the streets in protest, particularly in Tel Aviv, where people blocked major highways and lit fires.
Protesters voiced opposition to the decision, saying it could endanger national security, given Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza and now its war in Lebanon.
About 1,000 people rallied outside Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem, with protests breaking out in other cities.
Some demonstrators even reportedly clashed with police, according to The Guardian.
Protesters held banners with slogans like “We deserve better leaders” and “Leaving no one behind!”.
“We, the protesters, believe that Gallant … is actually the only normal person in the government,” Samuel Miller, a teacher, told the Guardian,
"We believe the worst threat of the very existence of the state of Israel is not posed by Iran or Hezbollah or Hamas, but by our own government. Our own government is doing whatever is within its power to destroy us, within,” an activist told Reuters.
The Hostage Families Forum also issued a statement voicing serious concern, saying that Gallant's termination might impact the lives of the 101 hostages who are held captive in Gaza.
Netanyahu and Gallant had shared differences on strategies involving the genocide in Gaza, with Gallant criticizing Netanyahu’s aim for “absolute victory,” which he called “nonsense", CNN reported, citing Israeli media.
To this, Netanyahu accused Gallant of pushing an "anti-Israel" stance.
Gallant also opposed Netanyahu’s focus on controlling the Gaza-Egypt border, known as the Philadelphi Corridor, instead of securing a ceasefire and a hostage deal, according to CNN.
Gallant had called it a "moral disgrace" and voted against it in the cabinet, saying, “If we want the hostages alive, we don’t have time.”
But the two have been at odds since late 2022, with Gallant opposing several changes Netanyahu proposed to Israel's judicial system, according to Guardian.
Gallant believed these changes could weaken democracy in Israel and also alter how the justice system operates.
In March 2023, Netanyahu initially attempted to dismiss Gallant after he publicly opposed the reforms but reversed the decision following large protests known as “the Gallan night.”.
In response to his termination, Gallant took to X and said, “Security of the state of Israel was and will always remain the mission of my life".
He later released a statement, explaining the three main reasons for his dismissal: he advocated for ultra-Orthodox men to join the military, prioritized negotiating a deal to bring back hostages from Gaza and called for an official investigation into the security failures that led to the October 7 attacks on Israel.
Gallant was viewed as a moderate and popular figure in Israeli politics for his pragmatic approach towards security issues, critiquing Netanyahu's military strategies and advocating for a hostage ceasefire deal.
The leader of opposition Yair Lipid called the decision to fire Gallant,“an act of madness”.
"Netanyahu is selling Israel's security and the Israeli army soldiers for a disgraceful political survival," he wrote on X.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also said that Gallant's firing was "the last thing Israel needs”.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz, a longtime Netanyahu ally, has now been appointed as the new Defense Minister.
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Cherry Mohamed
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Cherry Mohamed
