January 2nd 2025.
Tel Aviv: Yoav Gallant, the former Israeli Defence Minister, has made the decision to resign from the Knesset, the country's parliament. This comes just under two months after he was removed from his ministerial position, according to reports from local media.
Gallant announced his resignation on Wednesday evening, taking aim at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government for what he believes is a lack of regard for national security. Despite stepping down from his role, Gallant has stated that he will remain a member of Netanyahu's Likud party.
In a statement to the Israeli media, Gallant highlighted his contributions to both the political and military landscapes, claiming to have played a part in dismantling the military capabilities of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. As a former defence minister, he also took responsibility for Israel's handling of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the ongoing war, as reported by The Times of Israel.
Looking back on his years of service, Gallant reflected on his 35 years in the Israeli Defense Forces, a decade as a Knesset member, and two years as Defence Minister, describing it as a "dramatic" experience. He also hinted that his political career is far from over and even mentioned the possibility of a return to challenge for the party leadership.
"As a member of the Likud movement, I will continue to fight for its beliefs and values. I have always believed in the Likud path and trust its members and voters. From the moment I voted for the Likud party for the first time and was a part of Menachem Begin's revolution, I have remained loyal to the movement's national and ideological path," Gallant stated.
He went on to criticize Netanyahu and current Defence Minister Israel Katz for supporting a law that allows for military exemptions for a large portion of the ultra-Orthodox community. Gallant believes that enlisting the ultra-Orthodox is a "military necessity" and that the government's actions have put national security at risk.
Gallant also expressed concern over the government's plans to overhaul the judicial system, calling it a "clear and immediate danger" to Israel. He revealed that he had warned of this risk prior to the October 7 attacks.
Furthermore, Gallant criticized the government for not securing the release of hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza. "There can be no victory until they are brought back home," he stated.
Following his speech, Gallant handed in his resignation to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. Since his dismissal by Netanyahu on November 5, Gallant has been absent from important coalition votes, including a crucial budget-related bill that was passed on Tuesday. Netanyahu even had to leave the hospital after surgery to ensure the bill's passage, as some far-right and ultra-Orthodox coalition members were dissenting.
According to local media reports, Gallant is expected to be replaced in the Knesset by Abed Afif, a representative of the Druze minority. Afif, who was ranked 44th on the Likud party list in the 2022 elections, would become the only Druze lawmaker in the governing coalition.
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