The prime minister on Thursday dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, saying they have differences over the management of conflict and mutual trust has disappeared. "There was a crisis of trust following the last conflicts that made it impossible for Mr Gallant to continue in the post, because full coordination between the prime minister and the defense minister is necessary for the management of wars in Gaza and Lebanon," Benjamin Netanyahu said.
New Defence Minister Named
Israel Katz, foreign minister of Israel, has been named to replace Gallant as Israel's new defense minister. He is known for his tough and often blunt approach, Katz has been one of Netanyahu's closest within the ruling Likud party since 2003. This decision comes a day after Gallant approved additional military draft orders for 7,000 ultra-Orthodox men, a contentious issue within Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition.
Protest in Israel
Gallant’s removal has sparked criticism, especially from families of captives held in Gaza. Many of these families feel frustrated, saying that his dismissal could slow down efforts to bring their loved ones home. They are urging Katz to focus on this issue and make a strong commitment to finding a peaceful way to secure their return.
Record of Katz and Future Defense Minister
Before becoming defense minister, Katz was in the headlines as foreign minister when he adopted a hardline attitude to international criticism. He led a crusade against UNRWA and banned the agency from operating in Israel. Latest steps by him also included cancellation of the deals with UNRWA, and labeling UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres as "persona non grata" after the agency publicly opposed Israeli military operations.
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