Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Fires Defense Minister Yoav Gallant

Is there trouble in paradise?

On November 5, 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The Israeli Prime Minister justified the move on the grounds that a “crisis of trust”   has emerged between the two Israeli leaders. 

According to the Times of Israel, Foreign Minister Israel Katz will now be Defense Minister. Despite being a part of the Likud, Gallant was viewed as a political rival to Netanyau before he was selected to serve as Israel’s defense chief.

This firing comes at a time when Israel was able to achieve tactical victories by assassinating Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, while destroying a good portion of northern Gaza. However, it seems that Israel has hit a roadblock in southern Lebanon, which has raised speculation about this conflict turning into a regional conflagration due to Hezbollah’s strong connections to Iran. 

“Although in the first months of the war there was trust and there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the defense minister,” Netanyahu declared in a video statement.

Netanyhu accused Gallant of making pronouncements and taking actions as defense minister that went against the will of the State Security Cabinet.

“The security of the State of Israel was and will always remain the mission of my life,” Gallant declared on X after he was relieved of his position. 

With Donald Trump back in office, it’s time that the US pursue a genuine America First agenda and let Israel defend itself without the US having to supply it without military aid or weapons. The US needs to prioritize real security matters such as protecting its southern border with Mexico.