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Opposition Leaders Slam Netanyahu's Firing of DM. Lapid: PM Is a 'Danger to Israel' [1]

['Michael Hauser Tov']

Date: 2023-03-26

Opposition leader Yair Lapid responded to Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for calling to stop the judicial overhaul, saying that the prime minister is a "a danger to Israel."

"Gallant's sacking, for expressing his concern for Israel's security, is a new low for this anti-Zionist government that ignores all warnings and endangers the country," Lapid said. "Netanyahu can dismiss Gallant, but he can't dismiss reality or the people of Israel who are fronting up to resist the coalition's madness."

In a meeting on Sunday night, Netanyahu summoned Gallant and told him he no longer has faith in him as defense minister due to his call to freeze the government's judicial coup legislation. On Saturday night, amid the largest protest against the coalition's legislative blitz, Gallant called to freeze the plan, citing risk to the army's readiness and the growing national rift.

Netanyahu refused Gallant's requests to convene the cabinet to discuss the worsening security situation and the implications of the overhaul on the country's military. The prime minister's office denied the claim. Gallant asked multiple times in recent weeks to bring defense establishment representatives before government ministers in order to describe the deteriorating security situation and the effect of the political crisis on the IDF's reservist-based system.

Labor Party leader Merav Michaeli said of Netanyahu's decision that "Israel's defense minister spoke on behalf of senior military and security establishment officials when he warned of a clear and present danger to Israel's security. Now, more than ever - Netanyahu is a danger to Israel."

National Unity party MK Gideon Sa'ar called Netanyahu's decision "an act of madness, indicating a total lack of judgment. It is unprecedented to fire a defense minister for voicing his concern, as his role demands, about threats to Israel's security. Netanyahu is determined to send the country to hell."

Former IDF Chief of Staff and National Unity Party MK Gadi Eisenkot said "Netanyahu has shown that Israel's security is not his priority. Firing Gallant will destroy Netanyahu's legacy. He is gambling with our lives."

The Movement for Quality Government said it "takes very seriously the dismissal of Yoav Gallant from his position as Minister of Defense. Netanyahu has proved once again that he is unable to fulfill his role. He is not institutionally, ethically or morally qualified. The movement will consider legal action to stop these scandalous and disgraceful dismissals."

Netanyahu said later on Sunday evening on Twitter that "we must stand firm in the face of anyone who refuses to serve," just after sources close to the prime minister said the reason for his dismissal of Gallant was his weak response to the growing number of military reservists and objectors who have called to refuse to serve as a result of the government's judicial coup.

A senior source also said earlier that if the IDF Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi doesn't change his attitude to the reservists and objectors – Netanyahu will fire him as well.

Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed his support for Gallant's dismissal, saying "The people demand reform! Whoever capitulates to the military objectors cannot remain at his post even for one moment. Gallant couldn't handle the pressure and led a policy of containment and surrender to terrorism. I congratulate the prime minister for his decision."

The prime minister's son Yair Netanyahu posted on Twitter that "Israel's security depends first and foremost on not normalizing political disobedience in the army."

Gallant said in response to his dismissal that "Israel's security was and always will be my life's goal."

Protest leaders called for an impromptu demonstration on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv and for demonstrations of support outside Gallant's residence, after which thousands of protesters flocked to the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv, blocking south and northbound traffic. Further demonstrations are planned outside the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem.

Last Thursday, Gallant announced he would convene a press conference in the evening. It was expected he would announce his opposition to the judicial coup. Netanyahu summoned the defense minister to a hurried meeting, after which Gallant called off the Press conference and wait for the Prime Minister's announcement later that evening. Netanyahu then vowed during a televised speech to push forward with his judicial overhaul despite a conflict of interest agreement barring him from making changes to Israel's judicial system while on trial for three counts of corruption.

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[1] Url: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-03-26/ty-article/.premium/opposition-leaders-slam-netanyahus-firing-of-dm-lapid-pm-is-a-danger-to-israel/00000187-1f4f-d4ca-afff-1f4f2f860000

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