Israeli PM dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Galant
Amid the ongoing protest over the Israeli government’s controversial judicial reforms, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired his Defence Minister Yoav Galant a day after he broke the ranks, citing security concerns in calling for a pause to the judicial reforms.
On Saturday, when 200,000 people Israelis took streets of Tel Aviv to protest the reforms, Toav Galant, who has been loyal Netanyahu’s ally, said that “we must stop the legislative process” for a month in view of its divisiveness.
Several top Israel allies including the United States have questioned the plans to give more control and power to the politicians and diminish the role of the Supreme Court.
The member of Nwetanyahu’s right-wing Likud party, Galant said, “The growing social rift has made its way into the (army) and security agencies.”
It is a clear immediate and tangible threat to Israel’s security, he said.
While calling for a stop to the ongoing protest, he added, “I am committed to Likud values… and placing the State of Israel above all… but major changes on the national level must be made through deliberations and dialogue.”
According to the detractors, the reform project threatens Israel’s democracy, however, the government argues changes are needed to rebalance powers between lawmakers and the judiciary.
Israel Defence Minister Yoav Galant dismissed
On Sunday, PM Netanyahu decides to “dismiss Defence Minister Yoav Galant,” the prime minister’s office said in a brief statement.
In response to the decision, Galant countered on Twitter and wrote, “The security of the State of Israel has always been and will always remain the mission of my life.”
Yoav Galant’s call for a halt to the reforms came as lawmakers are due to vote this coming week on a central part of the proposals, which would change the way judges are appointed.
Two other Likud lawmakers also tweeted their support for Galant, raising questions over whether the government could count on a majority if it pushes ahead with a vote.
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Opposition to Galant’s dismissal
Opposition leader Yair Lapid responded on Twitter to Galant’s dismissal by saying the prime minister could fire Galant, “but he cannot fire reality and cannot fire the people of Israel who are standing up to the insanity of the coalition.”
“The Prime Minister of Israel is a danger to the security of the State of Israel,” the opposition leader said.
Adding to the political uncertainty, Israel’s consul general in New York, Asaf Zamir, tendered his resignation Sunday, saying Netanyahu’s “dangerous decision” to sack the defence minister convinced him he could “no longer continue representing the government.”
“Following today’s developments, it is now time for me to join the fight for Israel’s future to ensure it remains a beacon of democracy and freedom in the world,” Zamir said in a tweet posting his resignation letter.
Earlier this month, President Isaac Herzog, who holds a largely ceremonial role, voiced concern over the deepening rift in society and presented a proposed compromise, which the government rejected. the president has also raised the spectre of “a genuine civil war.”
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