‘Insane & politically motivated’ – Israel’s opposition heads slam Netanyahu for firing DM Gallant in rare joint appearance

The heads of Israel’s four Zionist opposition parties slammed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in a rare demonstration of unity on Wednesday.

In a joint press conference, all opposition leaders except those from the Arab Ra’am and Hadash-Ta’al parties, including Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid, National Unity head Benny Gantz, The Democrats chairman Yair Golan and Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman, accused Netanyahu of firing Gallant to push through a new IDF draft law and to evade prosecution over several brewing scandals in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Taking the stage first was Lapid, the nominal opposition leader. “The dismissal of Defense Minister Gallant yesterday is an act of insanity by an incompetent prime minister,” he began.

“In the middle of a war, while Israel is fighting on seven fronts, Netanyahu weakened and damaged the IDF, the fighting forces, just to pass the [draft] evasion laws.”

Gallant said he would only endorse a new IDF draft law with a broad majority, including support from the opposition, and recently signaled that he would join several other coalition lawmakers in opposing the so-called Daycare Law, which aims to grant ultra-orthodox families subsidies even if the father is dodging the IDF draft.

Turning to the Israeli public, Lapid said, “Don’t let the lies work on you. Gallant was not fired because of professional disagreements.”

“You can’t trust the Prime Minister or the Cabinet. The only person who could be trusted was fired yesterday. Netanyahu is not qualified, he cannot lead Israel in wartime. The soldiers can’t trust him. He had a choice - and he chose disgrace.”

Next up was former war cabinet member Benny Gantz, who focused on the current controversy surrounding the IDF draft bills. “What should our fighters in Lebanon think today when they see that the defense minister is fired after he issues conscription orders?” Gantz asked.

On Tuesday, Gallant had approved 7,000 additional draft orders to young ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) men starting next week.

“The dismissal of the Defense Minister against the background of a political need to pass legislation exempting the ultra-Orthodox from military service is a serious harm to the security and the spirit of the people, but it will not break us. And without going into details, the timing of the decision is absolute security negligence,” he added.

Speaking after Gantz, Avigdor Liberman noted that reports of Gallant’s dismissal had caused enthusiasm in Iran.

“Choosing between the security of the state and the coalition, Netanyahu chose to preserve the coalition and the path that dismantles Israeli society … They celebrated in the entire axis of evil.”

Agreeing with Lapid and Gantz, Liberman also argued that dismissing Gallant is “intended first of all to legalize the evasion law legislation, and the law financing the draft dodgers… but they have another role - to deter those currently involved in the security investigations.”

Appearing together with the other opposition leaders for the first time, Yair Golan launched the heaviest attacks on Netanyahu, accusing him of “knowingly and intentionally” harming the IDF and the security of the country.

He went on to call Netanyahu “corrupt to the core,” and accused him of forgetting “what it is to be a bereaved brother.”

“His heart is coarse, cruel and evil. A prime minister who never knew what it’s like not to sleep at night because his son was at the front… and chooses his interests over the citizens of Israel. The Prime Minister of Israel is not qualified to hold office. We have an illegitimate prime minister and an illegitimate government.”

Golan further called for intensified protests and a general strike.

In response, the Likud Party said, “They will continue to complain, and we will continue to win.”

“When the left led by Golan, Lapid, and Gantz along with Liberman stands by Gallant - that says everything,” the party said in a statement.

“Just a few months ago, Liberman mocked Gallant and said that ‘we don't have a defense minister, we have a minister for threats.’ And two months ago Gantz stated that Gallant must resign. Prime Minister Netanyahu, together with the new Defense Minister Israel Katz, will lead Israel to complete victory.”