Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday evening.
Netanyahu explained that this is the result of a crisis of trust and significant differences between the two in the management of the war.
"As the Prime Minister of Israel, my chief obligation is to preserve the security of Israel and to achieve our total victory. In the midst of war, more than ever, complete trust is required between the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister," Netanyahu began.
"Unfortunately, even though such trust was present during the first months of the military campaign, and we had a very productive cooperation, during the past several months this trust between myself and the Defense Minister has begun to crack," he stated.
Netanyahu continued, "Defense Minister Gallant and I had substantial disagreements on the management of the military campaign, disagreements which were accompanied by public statements and actions that contravened the decisions of the Government and the Security Cabinet."
"I have made multiple attempts to resolve these disagreements, but they became increasingly wider. They were also brought to the knowledge of the public in an inappropriate manner, and what is even worse, they have reached the knowledge of the enemy; our enemies have taken great delight in these disagreements and have derived much benefit from them," he added.
He explained that "different opinions in open debates, as anyone who knows me can attest to, are my way of holding discussions and consultations, and making decisions. Everyone knows that. However, the increasingly wide crisis of confidence between myself and the Defense Minister had become public knowledge, and that crisis is hindering the continued proper administration of the military campaign."
"I am not the only one with this opinion; in both the Government and the Security Cabinet, the majority of the members of which, virtually all members, share the feeling that this state of affairs cannot continue," he noted.
"In view of the above, I have decided today to remove the Defense Minister from his post. In his stead, I have decided to appoint Minister Israel Katz to this position. Israel Katz has proven his abilities and has made a contribution to national security as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Finance, Minister of Intelligence for five years, and equally important, as a long-standing member of the State Security Cabinet," Netanyahu declared.
"Israel Katz brings to the table an impressive combination of rich experience and executive capabilities. He is known as a man of action who combines responsibility with reserved decisiveness, all important qualities for driving a military campaign," he said.
He further stated that former Minister Gideon Sa'ar would take Minister Katz's place as Foreign Minister. "Also, I have spoken today with Minister Gideon Sa'ar and proposed that he join the coalition along with his faction and serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs. As a member of the Government and Security Cabinet for many years, Gideon Sa'ar will bring to the table much experience and consideration in the areas of policy and security, and will be a significant addition to our leadership team."
"Gideon Saar's addition and the addition of his faction will increase the stability of the coalition and the government, important factors at any time, and especially important in time of war. I am convinced that these steps will reinforce the Government and the Security Cabinet, transforming them into bodies that work cooperatively and harmoniously for the security of the State of Israel, for the citizens of Israel, and for our victory," he said.
Gallant stated in response, “The security of the State of Israel always was, and will always remain my life’s mission."
Incoming Defense Minister Israel Katz said, “I thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for the trust he placed in me in appointing me to the position of minister of defense. I accept this responsibility with a sense of mission and a deep commitment to the security of the State of Israel and its citizens."
“We will work together to advance the defense establishment to victory against our enemies and to achieve the goals of the war: the return of all the hostages as the most important mission, the destruction of Hamas in Gaza, the defeat of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the curbing of Iranian aggression and the safe return of the residents of the north and south to their home," he added.
The move was welcomed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who said, "The prime minister did well to remove him from his position.” Ben-Gvir claimed that "it is not possible to achieve absolute victory" with Gallant as Defense Minister.
On the other hand, opposition figures condemned Gallant's firing, Democrats chairman Yair Golan called on the public to "take to the streets" in protest.
National Unity MK Orit Farkash Hacohen said, “A Defense Minister who announces conscription orders for thousands of Haredim is fired in the middle of a war on the eve of an [expected Iranian] attack for the sake of the evasion law.”