Former Israeli Defense Secretary Job Gallant announced on Tuesday that he had been fired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after disagreements with him over key war issues, including the return of Hamas hostages from Gaza.
In a speech just hours after his dismissal, Gallant said he was fired for three reasons. These include opposition to exempting religious students from conscription, promotion of a cease-fire agreement to free hostages, and disputes over conflicts. Committee to investigate the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Regarding religious exemptions, Gallant said he had “no choice” but to make sure Israel was ready to defend the country with all available personnel.
“Everyone must join the Israel Defense Forces to participate together in the mission of defending the State of Israel,” Gallant said of the Israel Defense Forces. “We cannot allow Congress to pass discriminatory and corrupt laws that exempt tens of thousands of our citizens from this burden.”
He also mentioned the approximately 100 hostages still being held in Gaza and said there was a “moral obligation and responsibility to bring home our abducted sons and daughters.”
“This is achievable, but it will involve painful compromises that Israel can endure and that the Israel Defense Forces can manage,” Gallant said. “There is and will never be any redemption for abandoning the captives. It will be the mark of Cain on the foreheads of Israeli society and those who lead this misguided path.”
Regarding the last issue, Gallant said the state commission needs to investigate the Oct. 7 attack with a “thorough and relevant investigation.”
“As I have said before, I am responsible for the successes and failures of the security system over the past two years,” he said. “Only sunshine and truth-seeking can help us learn and equip us to meet the challenges of the future.”
Rather than end the conflict or face questions about the October 7 attack that killed about 1,200 Israelis, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to maintain ties with the Palestinian militant group Hamas for his own political survival. He is accused of prolonging the war. Hamas also kidnapped about 250 hostages.
Prime Minister Netanyahu then escalated the war in Lebanon with the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah. He has vowed to bring the hostages home, but has so far rejected any agreement with Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has frequently clashed with Gallant over how to handle the war, and previously fired Gallant in March 2023 over his judicial reform plans, but never formally removed him.
In a speech on Tuesday after formally replacing Gallant with former Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz, Prime Minister Netanyahu said he welcomed “different opinions in public debate.”
“That's how I debate, evaluate and make decisions. We all know this,” he said. “However, the crisis of trust between me and the Minister of Defense has become public knowledge, and this crisis is currently preventing the campaign from running properly.”
