Yoav Gallant, Israel’s former Defence Minister, has announced his resignation from parliament, marking an end to his long-standing career in the Knesset. Gallant, who had repeatedly clashed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies, made the decision after reflecting on his future in public service.
Gallant was dismissed from his ministerial role in November following disagreements with Netanyahu, particularly over the Gaza conflict and military policies. Despite his removal from the cabinet, Gallant retained his seat in parliament until now. In a televised address, he explained his decision, stating, “Just as it is on the battlefield, so it is in public service. There are moments in which one must stop, assess, and choose a direction in order to achieve the goals.”
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His resignation follows a series of public disputes with Netanyahu, including his opposition to the controversial exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from mandatory military service. Gallant also openly opposed Netanyahu’s plan in 2023 to reduce the powers of Israel’s Supreme Court, a move that sparked nationwide protests and forced the prime minister to reverse course.
Both Gallant and Netanyahu, along with a Hamas leader, are currently facing arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection to the Gaza conflict, allegations that Israel has strongly denied.
