by Bernhard at Moon of Alabama
Yesterday the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahoo threatened to fire his Defense Minister Yoav Gallant:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to oust Defense Minister Yoav Gallant from his position, a senior political official said on Monday. Netanyahu planned to add Gideon Saar’s New Hope party to the coalition adding four seats to his Knesset majority.The move raised concern among the families of hostages currently held in Gaza because of Saar’s position opposing a deal with Hamas that would see hostages freed. Stocks fell and gas prices spiked amid expectations of the government reshuffle.
The rift between Netanyahu and Gallant has widened in recent months after the defense minister opposed the prime minister’s refusal to agree to a deal that would free hostages. The position of the Defense Ministry, the IDF, Shin Bet and Mossad is that Israel can deal with the security risks that would emerge from such a deal and that the release of hostages must be a priority.
Gallant, despite being as radical as Netanyahoo, is the only asset the U.S. government still has in the cabinet:
U.S. officials are concerned over the possible Gallant ousting, claiming he is the ‘only adult in the room’ in Netanyahu’s government after the relations between the prime minister and U.S. President Joe Biden have again soured …
Gallant is opposed to several of Netanyahoo’s policies:
- He wants a ceasefire deal in Gaza that would allow the hostages to be freed. Netanyahoo rejects a ceasefire.
- He wants to prevent a law that would exempt Haredi men from military service. The Ultraorthodox members of the cabinet press Netanyahoo to pass the exemption.
- He is skeptical about an attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon. Other parts of the coalition are pressing for it.
After being threatened to be fired Gallant conceded on the last point:…
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