Disputes between Gallant, Netanyahu damaging war effort, officials say
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Israeli media address the public dispute between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Security Minister Yoav Gallant.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, second right, confers with Security Minister Yoav Gallant, right, during their meeting with US President Joe Biden, left, in Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, October 18, 2023. (AP)
Israeli media highlighted Monday the public rift between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Security Minister Yoav Gallant, which has caused significant concern among senior officials within the Israeli security apparatus, including the Israeli occupation forces, the Shin Bet, and the Mossad.
According to Israeli Channel 12, high-ranking security officials have warned that the personal and political conflict between Netanyahu and Gallant is "damaging" the management of ongoing military operations. It was noted that the two do not communicate outside of official discussions.
The channel quoted one source saying that the discord between Netanyahu and Gallant is turning the IOF, Shin Bet, and Mossad into "mediators" during wartime, hindering the achievement of any strategic objectives.
Another source told Channel 13 that one reason the Israeli regime has not reached a decision on the "day after" issue is that Netanyahu "will not agree" to accept Gallant's plan despite the fact that the security minister's proposals were not significantly different from Netanyahu's.
An additional security source confirmed that there has not been a three-way meeting between the prime minister, the security minister, and the chief of staff for a long time, highlighting how terrible the ties are within the war cabinet.
Israeli media previously cited a source close to Netanyahu as saying that Security Minister Yoav Gallant is a pawn in the hands of the Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.
The source indicated that Gallant cannot be trusted and that his behavior regarding judicial reforms, the draft law, and the prisoner exchange deal suggests he wants to topple the current Israeli government.
The Israeli Channel 12 also attributed the simmering conflict between Netanyahu and Gallant to the latter being barred by the former from holding a meeting regarding the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal with the heads of Mossad and Shin Bet, insisting the meeting be held with him instead.
Political commentator Amit Segal cited sources close to Netanyahu as saying that Gallant struggles with accepting the prime minister's authority.
According to Channel 12, Gallant did attend the meeting held at Netanyahu’s place.
In another meeting later that evening, Netanyahu criticized Gallant, saying, "You are not the Prime Minister," to which Gallant responded that not holding such a meeting regarding the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal makes it difficult for the security establishment to prepare for discussions on the most critical issue on the agenda.
The outlet Channel 12 also pointed to growing gaps between the Israeli prime minister and his security minister, noting that while Gallant urges accepting Hamas' current offer and told families of the captives that a deal is "closer than ever," Netanyahu believes military pressure will enhance the proposal.
Moreover, Israeli media revealed that four MKs from Netanyahu's Likud party asked the Prime Minister to replace Gallant, Halevi, brigade commanders, the military attorney general, and the spokesperson for the Israeli military before any confrontation with Hezbollah.
In a related context, the Israeli Mako news website reported that the conflict between Netanyahu and Gallant is just one of many the premier has had with his ruling coalition members.
The website revealed that Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened Netanyahu he "would be left alone" if he was not included in crucial discussions about the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.
