In a move that’s shaken up the country, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sacked his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, setting off mass protests across Israel. Gallant, seen by many—especially Israel’s international allies—as a more level-headed voice in Netanyahu’s far-right coalition, was fired late Tuesday, with Netanyahu citing differences over how to handle the ongoing war in Gaza.
Netanyahu explained his decision in a video statement, saying, “significant gaps on handling the battle” had emerged. He went on to say, “At the height of a war, complete trust is needed between the prime minister and the defense minister … In recent months, that trust between me and the defense minister was damaged.”
And just like that, the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem were flooded with protests. Thousands of angry Israelis took to the streets, banging drums and blocking highways, while protesters in Jerusalem gathered outside Netanyahu’s home. In Tel Aviv, many held signs reading “We deserve better leaders” and “Leaving no one behind!”—a clear jab at Netanyahu’s leadership during the war.
Gallant, a former general and one of the few moderates in Netanyahu’s cabinet, had been a thorn in the prime minister’s side for months. He had opposed several of Netanyahu’s controversial moves, including planned judicial reforms and, more recently, the handling of military conscription for the Ultra-Orthodox community—something Netanyahu’s ultra-religious allies in the Knesset are dead set against.
It wasn’t hard to see this coming. Gallant’s firing had been on the horizon for a while, especially after months of disagreements on how best to bring Israeli hostages home from Gaza. But what seems to have tipped the scales was Gallant’s push this past week to enforce military conscription on the Ultra-Orthodox community—a move that didn’t sit well with Netanyahu’s religious allies.
No hold-back from Gallant!
In his own statement, Gallant didn’t hold back. He pointed to disputes over Ultra-Orthodox conscription, Israel’s duty to bring back hostages, and the need for a full investigation into the October 7 attacks as reasons for his dismissal. “The security of the state of Israel was and will always remain the mission of my life,” Gallant wrote on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after Netanyahu’s announcement.
Replacing Gallant is Israel Katz, the current foreign minister, who’s stepping in as the country’s new defense minister. Katz took to X to assure Israelis that the government would “march the security system to victory against our enemies,” emphasizing the importance of bringing back hostages and defeating Hamas. Gideon Saar, leader of the center-right New Hope party, will take over as foreign minister.
But the protests don’t seem to be dying down. In Tel Aviv, protesters are furious, with some wearing T-shirts that say “Bring them home now!” in reference to hostages still held in Gaza. One demonstrator, a 54-year-old teacher named Samuel Miller, called Gallant “the only normal person in the government,” accusing Netanyahu of sparking “uncalled-for wars.”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid didn’t mince words either, calling the firing “an act of madness.” He slammed Netanyahu for “selling Israel’s security and the Israeli army soldiers for a disgraceful political survival.” Even Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, weighed in, calling the timing of Gallant’s dismissal “the last thing Israel needs” in the middle of a war.
The far-right wing of Netanyahu’s coalition, however, is celebrating. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir praised the firing, saying Gallant’s removal was necessary for “absolute victory.” On Telegram, he said that Gallant’s moderate stance was holding Israel back from a total win over Hamas and Hezbollah.
Hostage Families worry about future!
Meanwhile, the Hostage Families Forum—a group representing families of those still being held in Gaza—voiced their concern over how Gallant’s departure might affect negotiations for the hostages’ release. “We expect the incoming defense minister to prioritize a hostage deal,” the group said in a statement, urging Katz to work with international mediators to secure their loved ones’ freedom.
Gallant had consistently been one of the most popular figures in Netanyahu’s cabinet. A former general, he was respected both in Israel and abroad as a stabilizing force in the government. His firing, however, comes at a time when Israel is not just fighting in Gaza, but also facing threats from Hezbollah in Lebanon and potential escalation with Iran.
In the U.S., a White House spokesperson called Gallant an “important partner” and expressed concerns about his dismissal. An unnamed senior U.S. official told Israeli newspaper Haaretz that the decision was “surprising” and “concerning,” especially with Israel in the midst of two wars and eyeing potential conflict with Iran.
As the political drama unfolds, the war in Gaza continues to rage. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced plans for the largest medical evacuation from Gaza since the war started, with 113 seriously ill or injured patients expected to leave the territory. Thousands more are in desperate need of medical attention, according to WHO.
Israel has been heavily criticized for its handling of the war, particularly its aggressive tactics in northern Gaza. Human rights groups have accused Israel of using food as a weapon and forcibly displacing Palestinians—accusations Israel strongly denies.
With tensions at an all-time high and protests spreading across the country, Netanyahu’s decision to fire Gallant has only added fuel to an already raging fire. What happens next is anyone’s guess, but one thing’s for sure: Israel is in for a bumpy ride.
