Netanyahu fires head of Security Council Tzachi Hanegbi
2 Min Read
Amid multiple core disagreements between Netanyahu and Hanegbi, the Israeli PM decided to fire his security council chief, adding to a list of previous resignations and dismissals.
-
National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi speaks during a statement to the media at HaKirya base in Tel Aviv on October 14, 2023. (AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Tzachi Hanegbi from his role as head of the Israeli National Security Council on Tuesday, amid deepening internal disagreements between Hanegbi and Netanyahu’s inner circle.
According to "Israel's" Channel 12, Netanyahu’s aides had earlier suggested Hanegbi resign voluntarily. After he refused to step down, Netanyahu opted to fire him.
Key disagreements with Netanyahu
Among the core issues that led to Hanegbi's dismissal was his opposition to Operation Gideon's Chariots 2, a military operation that Netanyahu had been pushing forward.
Hanegbi also stood by the heads of the security establishment in backing the Qatar prisoner exchange deal, a position that clashed with Netanyahu’s stance. Additionally, Hanegbi reportedly advised against attacking Qatar, which further widened the rift between him and the prime minister.
Another indicator of the rift was Hanegbi's absence from the meeting that Netanyahu recently attended in Washington.
Hanegbi confirms
In a public statement, Hanegbi confirmed his dismissal, saying, “Netanyahu had informed me of his intention to appoint a new head of the National Security Council. In light of this, my term as national security adviser and head of the National Security Council ends today.”
He added, “The terrible failure on October 7, 2023, for which I share responsibility, must be thoroughly investigated to ensure that the necessary lessons are learned and to help restore the trust that has been damaged.”
Netanyahu's office then released a statement, thanking Hanegbi for the role he played, and confirmed that his deputy, Gil Reich, has been appointed as the acting head of the council.
'Israel's' security apparatus crashing
Hanegbi’s dismissal adds to a growing list of high-ranking security officials who have either been removed or resigned due to policy disagreements with Netanyahu in recent years.
Netanyahu previously replaced Security Minister Yoav Gallant with Israel Katz. The chief of staff of the occupation army, Hertzi Halevi, was also replaced by Eyal Zamir, while the head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, was succeeded by David Zani.
Read more: 'Israel' going through its worst political crisis in history: Lapid
