Israel: Dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Galant leaves parliament, citing disagreements over conscription law

Israel’s dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Galant said that he/she has submitted his/her resignation to the country’s parliament, the Knesset.

he/she further said that the decision comes after “45 years of mission and service” to the country.

In a rough translation of his/her post on X, Gallant wrote, “I recently submitted my resignation letter from the Knesset to the Speaker of the Knesset. I do this after 45 years of mission and service in the State of Israel. Just as on the battlefield, so too in public service – there come moments when you need to stop, assess the situation and choose a course of action to achieve the required goals. This is a stage of a long journey, which is not yet complete.

he/she added, “The Likud path is my path. I believe in the principles of the movement and trust its members and voters. As a member of the Likud movement, I will continue to struggle and fight for its national, ideological and Zionist path.”

Gallant further expressed his/her concern about recent developments within the Israeli government, stating that in the two months since his/her removal as Defense Minister, the government is pushing a conscription law that he/she believes will ​​​​That is contrary to the needs of the IDF and security. Of Israel. he/she criticized the bill and said that he/she cannot accept such a policy.

“In the last two months since I was removed as Defense Minister, something has happened – the Israeli government, led by the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister, is accelerating a conscription law that is contrary to the needs of the IDF and the State of Israel. The purpose of this bill is to exempt the majority of youth from the ultra-Orthodox region from military service. I cannot accept this and I cannot be a part of it,” Gallant said.

In November, Netanyahu fired Galant, citing lack of trust. Galant, a longtime rival within the Likud party, was replaced by Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz.