Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant resigned from parliament on Wednesday, nearly two months after being dismissed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu due to “substantial disagreements” over the handling of Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.
In a national address, Gallant formally announced his resignation from the Knesset. “Shortly, I will inform the speaker of the Knesset of my decision to conclude my tenure as a member of the Knesset,” he said. Reflecting on his career, he added, “After 45 years of public service ā 35 of them in the IDF and the rest in the Knesset ā this is just one station in a longer journey that is not yet complete. Whether on the battlefield or in public service, it’s important to pause, reassess, and aim for the necessary goals.”
Gallant reaffirmed his loyalty to the Likud party, stating, “The way of the Likud is my way. I will continue to fight for the national, ideological, and Zionist path of the Likud movement.”
Netanyahu had dismissed Gallant in November following tensions over Israel’s military strategy during the Gaza conflict, which escalated after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that left over 1,200 Israelis dead, more than 5,000 wounded, and 250 taken hostage. Netanyahu cited disagreements on key military decisions, including positioning forces on the Philadelphia Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border and targeting Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. “Our enemies have taken great delight in these disagreements and have derived much benefit from them,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
Gallant countered, asserting his dismissal stemmed from his advocacy for universal army service. He emphasized the importance of enlisting all eligible individuals, regardless of background, to ease the burden on reservists. “This is first and foremost a necessary security and military need,” he argued.
Highlighting his tenure, Gallant listed his achievements in the conflict against Hamas: “As minister of defense, I led the defense establishment throughout 13 months of war. I charted the way and determined the direction that allowed the State of Israel to reach a military defeat of its enemies in a war on seven fronts. The defense establishment under my leadership created the conditions to achieve all the war’s urgent goals, including the ultimate return of the hostages.”
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