In Israel, Netanyahu dismissed his defense minister as the wars escalated. Protests continue across the country

JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday fired his popular defense minister Yoav Gallant, in a surprise announcement at a time when the country is embroiled in wars on multiple fronts across the region. The move sparked protests across the country, including a mass gathering that paralyzed central Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu and Gallant have repeatedly clashed over the war in Gaza. However, Netanyahu refrained from expelling his opponent before taking the step, as the world’s attention was focused on the US presidential election. In his statement Tuesday evening, Netanyahu cited “significant gaps” and a “crisis of trust” as he announced he was replacing Gallant with a longtime loyalist.

“In the midst of war, full trust between the prime minister and the defense minister is needed more than ever,” Netanyahu said. “Unfortunately, there was so much trust in the first months of the operation and very productive work was done, but in recent months this trust has cracked between me and the defense minister.”

In the early days of the war, the Israeli leadership presented a united front in response to Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack. However, as the war dragged on and spread throughout Lebanon, important policy differences emerged.

While Netanyahu called for continued military pressure on Hamas, Gallant took a more pragmatic approach, saying military force created the necessary conditions for Hamas. at least a temporary diplomatic agreement could bring home the hostages held by this militant group.

At a late-night nationally televised news conference, Gallant said he disagreed with Netanyahu on three main issues: the need to end controversial exemptions from military service for ultra-Orthodox men, the urgent need for a hostage agreement and the news that Hamas militants stormed Israel and killed 1,200 people. and an official commission needs to be established to investigate the political and security failures of October 7, when he took 250 people hostage. Israel estimates that about 100 hostages are still in captivity, of which only 65 are alive.

Because military service is mandatory for most Jews, Gallant said drafting the ultra-Orthodox at a time when Israel faces so many challenges is both a matter of justice and security.

He said a hostage agreement was needed “as quickly as possible, while they are alive” and that neglecting them was “inexcusable”. And he said the only way to ensure the government learns the necessary lessons is to conduct a thorough investigation into the events of October 7. Netanyahu rejected calls for an investigation and said it should only happen when the war is over.

Gallant concluded his statement by honoring the soldiers who served in the military and those who died in wars. As he left the podium, he raised his hand and saluted.

Tens of thousands of people attended, as well as many of the hostages’ families anti-government protestsHe accuses Netanyahu of breaking an agreement to maintain his rule. Netanyahu’s hardline partners have threatened to topple the government if it makes concessions to Hamas, raising the risk of early elections at a time when the prime minister’s popularity is low.

“Firing Gallant in the middle of the war is an act of madness,” opposition leader Yair Lapid told X. “Netanyahu is selling out Israel’s security and the soldiers of the Israeli army for a shameful political survival.”

The grassroots forum representing hostage families said Gallant’s dismissal was “a direct continuation of ‘efforts’ to undermine the kidnapper agreement.”

Within hours, thousands of protesters gathered in central Tel Aviv, blocking the city’s main highway and paralyzing traffic. The crowd, many holding blue and white Israeli flags and others whistling and drumming, gathered around multiple bonfires. Thousands of people demonstrated outside Netanyahu’s home in Jerusalem and elsewhere in the city. Protesters gathered at many points across the country and blocked roads, and Israeli television channels broadcast footage of police fighting with protesters.

The dismissal comes at a sensitive time. Israeli troops remain stalemated in Gaza, more than a year after occupying the territory in a war that has killed more than 42,000 Palestinians, including tens of thousands of civilians, and caused widespread destruction. Attack on Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Hundreds of Israeli soldiers lost their lives in the clashes.

Israel has also clashed with Iranian-backed groups in Iraq, Syria and Yemen and faces the possibility of a new attack by Iran. In response to an Iranian missile attack on October 1, Iran vowed to avenge Israel’s attack; this attack was in retaliation for previous Israeli attacks against Iran-linked targets.