Netanyahu sacks Security Minister Gallant over call to halt 'reforms'
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Commenting on Gallant's dismissal, opposition leader Yair Lapid considers Netanyahu "a danger to Israel's security."
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Israeli occupation Security Minister Yoav Gallan at the "Israel" Aerospace Industries headquarters in "Tel Aviv" (AFP)
Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked Security Minister Yoav Gallant, his office confirmed on Sunday.
In a brief statement, Netanyahu's office announced that the Prime Minister has decided to transfer Gallant from his post.
But The Times of "Israel" noted that "it is unclear what new position he will be given, if any." As per Maariv, Netanyahu now has 48 hours to appoint a new security minister.
According to The Jerusalem Post, Netanyahu told Gallant that he lost his trust in him after he "went behind the government's back" on Saturday while the occupation Prime Minister was visiting London.
On Saturday, Israeli occupation Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called on Netanyahu to fire the Security Minister after his calls to halt the "judicial overhaul".
"I call on the prime minister to fire Gallant, who came in with the votes of the right, but surrendered to the pressure of those who threatened to refuse [to serve in the military], and tries to put a stop to the important reform," Ben-Gvir said in a statement.
Gallant demanded in a televised speech an immediate halt to the "judicial overhaul" legislation in order to hold talks with its opponents, warning of its serious repercussions on the Israeli military and security establishments.
He indicated that in recent weeks, he has been speaking to occupation military officials regarding the matter.
"Israel" is witnessing protests against the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, especially its plans related to judiciary reforms. This is not all; many have warned that a "civil war" was just around the corner for the Israeli occupation. pic.twitter.com/Hza4rScjFu
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 5, 2023
"I’m worried about what I’m hearing," Gallant said, adding, "I have never encountered the intensity of anger and pain as I have seen now."
He considered that "the rift in society penetrates into the army and this is an immediate and tangible danger to the security" of "Israel".
"We need a change in the judiciary, but major changes must be done with dialogue," he pointed out, stressing that "the legislative process must be stopped."
It is noteworthy that before being appointed as Security Minister, Gallant served as a former Knesset MP in Netanyahu's previous governments and is a member of the PM's Likud party.
He is also the former commander of the occupied Palestine's southern region.
Reactions to Netanyahu's decision
Commenting on Gallant's dismissal, former Israeli occupation chief of staff MK Gadi Eisenkot said that Netanyahu proved that "Israel's" security is not his chief priority.
"Gallant's dismissal is a disgrace to Netanyahu's legacy and a dangerous bet on all of our lives," Eisenkot added.
On his part, opposition leader Yair Lapid tweeted that "Netanyahu can fire Gallant, but he can't fire reality and he can't fire the Israelis who are standing up against this coalition's insanity."
"The prime minister is a danger to Israel's security," Lapid indicated.
Similarly, former Israeli occupation Security Minister, MK Benny Gantz, wrote, "We face a clear and immediate danger to Israel's security," adding, "This evening, Netanyahu put politics and himself above security."
In the same context, Israeli occupation Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who yesterday called on Netanyahu to remove Gallant, tweeted: "Reform now!"
Labor chief Merav Michaeli said that the occupation PM's move shows that "now, more than ever, Netanyahu is very dangerous to Israel."
Former Security Minister and "Yisrael Beytenu" party leader Avigdor Liberman called Netanyahu’s decision "dictatorship at its best."
"Instead of listening to [Gallant] and convening the cabinet, Netanyahu chose the path of all dictators — silencing voices," Liberman tweeted.
The Times of "Israel" also reported that leaders of the anti-"judicial reforms" protests called for a spontaneous demonstration at 10 pm outside the Israeli occupation military’s headquarters in "Tel Aviv".
