In a scathing critique, an article in Maariv written by Ben Caspit outlined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent political maneuvering, orchestrated to dismiss Security Minister Yoav Gallant.

Gallant is portrayed as just the first target, with the Chief of Staff and the Head of the Shin Bet reportedly next in line.

The article suggests that Netanyahu aims to reshape the Israeli security apparatus, populating top positions with loyalists—third-tier officials promoted beyond their qualifications—to ensure their loyalty. According to the piece, this power grab mirrors tactics used in the past, turning key security institutions into extensions of the Prime Minister's office.

Politically motivated dismissal

The timing of Gallant's firing, during an active war and amid looming prospects of an Iranian strike, is criticized as politically motivated, as per the report.

The article asserted that Gallant’s dismissal was motivated by securing the continuation of the ultra-Orthodox draft exemption, a key issue for Netanyahu's coalition. It also argued that senior officials have privately expressed concerns about Netanyahu’s decision-making, questioning his fitness to lead under these circumstances.

Caspit painted a stark picture of the political dynamics surrounding Gallant’s dismissal. The day before his firing, Gallant had ordered the Israeli army to issue 7,000 additional draft notices to ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) men, recognizing the urgent need for more soldiers to meet the occupation forces' growing demands. 

In contrast, Prime Minister Netanyahu, according to Maariv, was focused on preserving his coalition with the ultra-Orthodox parties—an existential necessity for his political survival. In this clash between "national security" and Netanyahu's personal political interests, the latter prevailed, the article argued, at the expense of the occupation's well-being.

Sa'ar makes a comeback

The article sharply criticized Netanyahu, describing him as an “oppositional Prime Minister,” a figure who now poses a serious threat to "national security".

In a broader critique, the article called out the political comeback of Gideon Sa’ar, who, despite once being a key figure in Netanyahu’s ouster in 2021, has now rejoined the Prime Minister’s camp.

Sa’ar’s return to Netanyahu’s side, according to Maariv, signified a betrayal of his principles and a complete reversal of his previous stance. Once hailed for standing up to Netanyahu’s divisive politics, Sa’ar is now accused of abandoning his voters and values to help Netanyahu preserve the controversial ultra-Orthodox draft exemption.

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The article questioned Sa’ar’s motives, mocking his previous claims of rejoining the coalition to confront major security threats.

According to Maariv, these challenges have already been addressed without Sa’ar’s involvement. Instead, the piece painted him as a key player in orchestrating a political deal that would exempt ultra-Orthodox men from military service. Ultimately, the article said, Sa’ar’s political legacy may not be that of a future Prime Minister, but rather the “head of a conspiracy” who sold out his soul for political expediency, allowing draft dodgers to triumph over national responsibility.

Netanyahu's calculated move to consolidate power

Security Minister Yoav Gallant's dismissal, as per the piece, was meticulously planned, in stark contrast to his previous ousting.

The timing of this decision was no accident—it was carefully selected to coincide with heightened public anxiety: on the eve of the US elections, with the looming threat of an Iranian attack, and as thousands of reservists, many of whom had previously protested against the government, were being mobilized.

Settlers are fearful, weary, and anxious, making it, as the article noted, an opportune moment to replace the Security Minister in the middle of a war. The cynical timing is described as so politically calculated that even Machiavelli would be unsettled.

The article also argued that the timing serves another purpose: to control the domestic conversation and media narrative. Instead of focusing on Netanyahu’s latest scandals—what the article referred to as the newest “Bibigate”—or a security crisis brewing in the Prime Minister’s office, public attention is diverted to political figures like Israel Katz and Gideon Sa’ar. In this environment, the piece asserted, Netanyahu has become an "agent of chaos," pushing the Israeli entity into disarray while seeking to control the media agenda.

What would Sa'ar's voters say now?

The article goes on to harshly criticize Sa’ar, wBas ho, during his campaigns, repeatedly told voters: “Anyone who wants Netanyahu should not vote for me.” Yet, ironically, those who wanted Netanyahu may have done well to vote for Sa’ar after all.

The report raised the question of what Sa’ar’s loyal voters must think now, as he appears to have abandoned his principles and aligned himself with Netanyahu. Despite his prior promises to fight Netanyahu’s rule, the article suggested that Sa’ar, much like Naftali Bennett before him, has traded his integrity for political expediency. However, unlike Bennett, Sa’ar has not been publicly labeled a "traitor" or "liar," because, as the article cynically observed, “as long as it's in the service of the messiah, it's all legal.”

Recalling Gallant’s previous dismissal, even before the war, the article referenced a tweet from Sa’ar himself, “Netanyahu’s decision to fire Gallant is an act of madness, a clear sign of a total lack of judgment. There is no precedent in Israel’s history for a Defense Minister being fired for fulfilling his duty to warn of a security threat. Netanyahu is determined to drag Israel into the abyss. Every additional day Netanyahu remains in power endangers Israel and its future.”

Maariv then highlighted the bitter irony that Sa’ar, once one of Netanyahu’s fiercest critics, now remains silent as Gallant is fired again—this time in the midst of a war.

Netanyahu’s spokespersons, trying to justify the timing of Gallant’s firing, suggested that Gallant's decision to issue draft notices to thousands of ultra-Orthodox men may have been the final trigger. However, the article pointed out that Gallant’s relationship with Netanyahu had long been strained. But, as Maariv noted, this explanation rings hollow. The article argued that Netanyahu has a well-documented history of falling out with his Security Ministers, from Yitzhak Mordechai to Ehud Barak, Moshe Ya’alon, Naftali Bennett, and Avigdor Lieberman. With all of them, the relationships deteriorated, ending in strained ties and dismissals—just as it has now with Gallant.

Shadows of scandal

The unfolding political drama surrounding Netanyahu, as per the piece, is framed against the backdrop of two significant investigations by the Shin Bet and the police, both of which are tied to events in the Prime Minister’s office.

The first investigation delved into the theft and smuggling of highly classified materials from Military Intelligence (Aman), with the suspicion that these sensitive documents were transferred to individuals within Netanyahu's inner circle. These individuals are accused of leaking the materials to orchestrate "influence operations" aimed at manipulating the Israeli public.

Sources close to the investigation have revealed that the implications of these leaks are severe—compromising vital intelligence sources, endangering lives, and potentially jeopardizing ongoing efforts to rescue Israeli captives. The immediate and long-term damage to the Israeli security infrastructure is a key concern for investigators.

The second investigation, recently made public, focused on the tampering of sensitive war-related documents. The inquiry appears to be centered on attempts to alter, erase, or remove protocols, documents, and testimonies from critical government offices. Reports had surfaced earlier that Netanyahu's former military secretary, Major General Avi Gil, had lodged a formal complaint with the Attorney General regarding these actions. At the time, there were also reports that, under the direction of the Prime Minister's wife, members of Netanyahu’s staff had raided archives and files, collecting and organizing materials—potentially to control or manipulate public narratives. According to Maariv, these two investigations may eventually converge, revealing a disturbing picture of political interference at the highest levels, undermining the integrity of "Israel" and its security apparatus.

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