Reminding Minister Of Defense Gallant's Dismissal Harms The Economy, Israel's Business Forum: Prime Minister Knows Better

Yoav Gallant. (Twitter/@yoavgallant)

JAKARTA - Israel's Business Forum, which represents most workers in the country's private sector, urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to continue planning to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, warning it would further damage the economy that has been destroyed by the war.

The 200 leading entrepreneurs-member forum, which includes a network of Big Shopping Centers shopping centers, Azrieli Group and banking institutions, warned that the Gallant's sacking would also weaken Israel in the eyes of its enemies, sparking deeper social divisions among the public.

"It is clear that replacing the defense minister in exchange for a political agreement related to laws that allow exceptions (most ultra-Orthodox men from military service, will exacerbate the gap in dividing burdens evenly," the forum said.

The forum continued, it "will dramatically increase frustration among people who bear the burden of military service and economic burden."

"The Prime Minister knows better than anyone else, that all economic indicators show that Israel is deteriorating into an economic ravine and sinking into a deep recession," the forum warned.

As previously reported, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to sack Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, considering appointing Gideon Sa'ar preparing to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and considering appointing New Hope Party leader Gideon Sa'ar instead, Kan reported as citing an official in the prime minister's bureau.

If that doesn't work, Sa'ar will likely accept filling in the pooling of Foreign Ministers, while Israel Katz takes over from the Gallant position, reports Channel 12.

He also claimed that Knesset members from New Hope Zeev Elkin and Sharren Haskel might be offered ministerial positions.

The Prime Minister's Office denied negotiations with Sa'ar, while a Sa'ar spokesman claimed there was no "new thing" in the matter.

PM Netanyahu's rumors of replacing Gallant have been circulating for months, with Sa'ar denying since early July he has accepted an offer that will bring him back to the coalition.

Separately, opposition leader Benny Gantz warned that the removal of Defense Minister Gallant would only jeopardize Israel's national security.