Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reversed the dismissal of Defense Minister Joav Galant after major protests. The head of government announced in Tel Aviv today that Gallant, who like himself belongs to the right-wing conservative Likud party, is returning to office. “We will work together for Israel’s security,” Netanyahu promised.
The head of the right-wing religious government had dismissed Galant last month because he had called for a halt to the controversial judicial reform.
There were immediately new protests on the streets against the dismissal. The opposition and experts criticized the sacking as unprofessional in view of the precarious security situation in Israel. In the evening Netanyahu said: “Our country is under a terrorist attack.”
He accused the government of his predecessor, Jahair Lapid, of having damaged deterrence. He was referring to a maritime border agreement with Lebanon that the Lapid government signed in October. Netanyahu spoke of an “agreement with the (Lebanese militia) Hezbollah”.