Fired Defense Minister Gallant, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu: Disagreement And Lack Of Trust Benefits The Enemy

PM Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were in a bunker under Kirya Military Base, Tel Aviv when the attack on Iran began. (Source: GPO/Avi Ohayun)

JAKARTA - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked Defense Minister Yoav Gallant late Tuesday, citing lack of mutual trust during the war.

In a short letter that the Prime Minister's Office said was submitted to the Gallant during the meeting at 8 p.m. local time, PM Netanyahu told the galant his term of office would end "48 hours from the receipt of this letter."

"I would like to thank you for your service as defense minister," the short letter said, as reported by The Times of Israel on November 6.

After the brief interaction, PM Netanyahu left the room and recorded a video of him announcing the sacking of his longtime rival from the Likud party, according to a Channel 12 news report.

"Unfortunately, even though in the first months of war there was mutual trust and there was work that was very fruitful, during the last months this mutual trust broke between me and the defense minister," Netanyahu said in the video statement.

He said the two disagreed with the war management that Gallant had made statements and taken action against cabinet decisions.

The prime minister also accused Gallant of indirectly benefiting Israeli enemies.

"I have made many efforts to bridge this gap, but that gap continues to widen," he said.

"The gap is also known to the public in an unacceptable way, and worse than that, the gap is known to our enemy, our enemy enjoys it and gets a lot of benefits from it," Netanyahu explained.

"The crisis of trust" with the defense minister "does not allow the appropriate continuation of the (military) campaign," Netanyahu continued.

He said most government members and cabinets agreed with him, "that this cannot be continued. Given this, I decided today to end the term of office of the defense minister."

Gallant's own position will be replaced by Israeli Foreign Minister Katz, whose position will then be filled by the Minister without Portfolio Gideon Sa'ar.

It is known, this is the second time PM Netanyahu has fired Gallant in less than two years.