Netanyahu delays firing of dissenting Defence Minister Gallant
Al JazeeraMar 29, 2023
Netanyahu Denies Discussing Defense Minister Post with Opposition Lawmaker
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Above: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv, Israel, Oct. 13, 2023. Image copyright: U.S. Secretary of Defense [via Wikimedia Commons]
The Facts
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied on Monday that the prime minister was negotiating with opposition lawmaker Gideon Sa'ar regarding his potential appointment as defense minister.
Israeli media reports have indicated that Netanyahu plans on sacking Israel's current defense minister, Yoav Gallant, over disagreements regarding Israel's handling of the war in Gaza and draft laws to increase the number of Haredi men in the military. Netanyahu's statement didn't mention Gallant.
The Spin
Left narrative
Gallant is a highly experienced military official and has shown a strong track record that demonstrates the necessity of his position in Israel's security establishment. Given the fact that the war is still ongoing, firing Gallant at such a decisive time in the conflict could be disastrous.
Right narrative
Gallant has lost much legitimacy in the eyes of those in his own party due to his constant undermining of Israel's negotiating position. Though nothing is certain as of yet, Netanyahu is well within his right to sack Gallant over his incessant attacks on Israel's strategy to free hostages and destroy Hamas.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Gallant is a war criminal guilty of genocide due to his involvement in Israel's war on Gaza, and a new defense minister would have a marginal impact on the brutality under which Palestinians live. Indeed, Netanyahu wants an even more aggressive figure to take the role of defense minister.
