Gallant and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu often clashed over war in Gaza, with Gallant advocating for diplomatic efforts to free Israeli hostages, while Netanyahu insisted on maintaining military pressure against Hamas.
Former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced on Wednesday his resignation from the country’s parliament, also known as the Knesset.
The announcement comes less than two months after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu removed him from his position following months of disagreements over the conduct of the war in Gaza.
After his sacking, Gallant maintained his seat in parliament as an elected member of the Knesset.
“Good evening. Soon I will convey to the Speaker of the Knesset my decision to end my duties as the 25th member of the Knesset after 45 years of service and missions for the State of Israel. 35 years in the IDF. A decade as a member of the Knesset and as a minister in the governments of Israel, including two dramatic years in the position of Minister of Defence,” said Gallant in a televised address.
He added that he was removed from his post after he insisted on the need to end the controversial exemption from the military draft for ultra-Orthodox men.
Military service is compulsory for most Jews, but ultra-Orthodox men receive exemptions in order to pursue religious studies. The controversial exemptions generated widespread resentment among the Israeli public, as the ongoing war in Gaza forced tens of thousands of men into months of military duty.
Gallant stated that the government’s intention to uphold these exemptions is the primary reason behind his resignation.
“The government of Israel, led by the prime minister and the minister of defence, has launched a recruitment drive that is contrary to the needs of the IDF and the security of the State of Israel.”
Gallant and Netanyahu were repeatedly at odds over the war in Gaza. The pair butt heads in the past when Gallant pushed for a diplomatic deal that would bring back Israeli hostages held under Hamas captivity in Gaza, while Netanyahu called for continued military pressure on the group.
Netanyahu’s surprise dismissal of Gallant, which he said was due to “significant gaps” and a “crisis of trust” sparked protests across Israel. The Israeli premier moved to replace Gallant with longtime loyalist, Israel Katz, who served as both the defence and foreign minister at one point.
Despite his resignation from the Knesset, Gallant stated that he will continue to be a member of Netanyahu’s Likud Party.
“As a member of the Likud movement, I will continue to fight for the ideological and Zionist national path of the Likud movement.”
Both Gallant and Netanyahu were issued arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court in November for war crimes and crimes against humanity over their roles in the war in Gaza.
Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says Israeli attacks have killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since 7 October 2023.
The war is still ongoing despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the UN’s top court, the International Court of Justice, based in The Hague, for its war on the enclave.
Additional sources • AP
