Gallant and Netanyahu
Gallant and NetanyahuYonatan Sindel/Flash 90

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is expected to remain in his position, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement that he would be fired after he called for a halt to the legislation of the judicial reform in a speech last Saturday night, Channel 12 News reported on Friday.

According to the report, Netanyahu wants Gallant to apologize for giving the speech, whereas Gallant is only willing to apologize for the timing of the speech, but this disagreement appears to be solvable. Gallant will not resign from the Knesset under the Norwegian Law, which permits ministers to resign from the Knesset in order to allow the next person on their party’s slate to enter the Knesset.

Despite the fact that several days have passed since the decision to fire Gallant, Netanyahu has not sent him an official dismissal letter and Gallant continues to carry out his duties as Defense Minister.

A number of Likud officials have attempted in the last few days to negotiate a compromise between Netanyahu and Gallant.

Shas chairman MK Aryeh Deri has suggested a compromise, whereby Gallant would apologize for the timing of the speech and clarify that he opposes threats of refusal to serve in the army as a means of protesting the reform.

Should Gallant make such a statement, Netanyahu is expected to agree to keep Gallant in the Ministry of Defense.

(Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)