Former Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, known for his independent stance against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right coalition partners, announced his resignation from parliament on Wednesday.
Gallant, who had been dismissed from the government by Netanyahu in November after prolonged disputes over the handling of the Gaza war against Hamas, had retained his position as a Knesset member.
In a televised statement, Gallant remarked, “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.”
Gallant frequently opposed Netanyahu and his coalition, including on contentious matters such as military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, a deeply divisive topic in Israeli politics.
In March 2023, Gallant was fired by Netanyahu after he publicly called for a pause in the government’s controversial plan to reduce the Supreme Court’s powers.
His dismissal sparked widespread protests, forcing Netanyahu to reconsider his decision.
Both Gallant and Netanyahu, along with a senior Hamas leader, face arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict, claims Israel has firmly denied.
