Gallant to be replaced? DM sends letter to PM Netanyahu saying war lacks clear goals, is attacked by coalition partners

Shortly before Israel's early-morning attack on Iran on Saturday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several cabinet ministers, stating that “the war is being waged without a compass” and urging an update to Israel’s war objectives, Channel 13 News reported Sunday evening.

In the letter, Gallant wrote: “The state of affairs in which we are progressing, without a valid compass, and without updating the goals of the war, harms the conduct of the campaign and the decisions of the cabinet. The significant developments in the war, first and foremost the exchange of direct blows between Israel and Iran, increase the need to hold a discussion and update the goals of the war with a comprehensive view of the arenas and the connection between them.” 

Gallant then suggested how to update the war goals for the various arenas. 

Gaza Strip: Action must be taken to "establish a reality without a military threat, prevent the strengthening of terrorist capabilities, return all the hostages and promote an alternative to Hamas rule." 

Lebanon: “Create a security reality that will enable the residents of the north to return to their homes as soon as possible.” 

Iran: It is necessary to bring about "deterrence and keep Iran out of war.” 

Judea and Samaria: "Prevent a violent outbreak by thwarting terrorism." He also said the government should take action to "strengthen personal security and international legitimacy." 

Channel 13 reported that Gallant’s letter was sent to all cabinet ministers except National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, possibly due to concerns about leaking the document to the press. 

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) responded to the letter Gallant wrote to Channel 13, saying, “This is a puzzling letter, there is a compass, and that is the goals of the war as set by the cabinet. They are constantly being tested and have even recently been expanded.” 

Following the report about the letter, Likud party Knesset Member Avichai Boaron called for Gallant's dismissal, saying, "Gallant is a politician of the lowest kind.” 

Boaron argued that if soldiers heard Gallant criticizing the prime minister, it could harm morale, and he accused Gallant of leaking the letter to the press.

“They do not need to hear their defense minister question the leadership of the senior command – the prime minister and the political security cabinet – in a 'secret' letter that he cynically leaks to the world.” 

Relations between Gallant and Netanyahu have been strained since March 2023, when the defense minister called for a pause of the Judicial Reform legislation being pushed by the coalition, warning that it was damaging the social fabric of Israeli society and could lead to a security crisis. 

Netanyahu initially announced Gallant’s dismissal but reversed the decision following massive protests. Since then, Israeli media have consistently reported on Netanyahu’s desire to replace Gallant.

A report on Sunday evening stated that Netanyahu sent a message to ultra-Orthodox coalition partners in recent days telling them that removing Gallant from his position as defense minister would be possible after the attack on Iran. 

Gallant drew criticism from ultra-Orthodox coalition members by insisting that any agreement granting immunity to ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students from the military draft would require “broad consensus.” Most non-Haredi Israelis support drafting eligible religious men, particularly those not regularly attending yeshiva.

Gallant drew criticism from ultra-Orthodox coalition members by insisting that any agreement offering immunity to religious yeshiva students from the military draft would require “broad consensus.” Most non-Haredi Israelis support a draft for eligible religious men, particularly those not regularly attending yeshiva.

The ultra-Orthodox parties demanded a draft exemption as part of the coalition agreement and recently threatened to leave the coalition if such a bill is not passed. 

Before the Iranian attack, reports indicated that Netanyahu planned to replace Gallant with Gideon Sa’ar, who recently joined the coalition as a minister without a portfolio.

However, after those reports were published, both Sa’ar and Netanyahu denied any immediate plans to do so, with Sa’ar noting that replacing the defense minister as the war was shifting to the northern front would be inappropriate.

Sa’ar has a complicated history with Netanyahu, having left Likud after challenging him for party leadership.