Netanyahu reportedly planning to fire DM Gallant, possibly replace him with Gideon Sa'ar

Former Likud party member once challenged Netanyahu for leadership of the party

Read this article in:

Reports in Hebrew media on Sunday evening and Monday morning indicated that Defense Minister Yoav Gallant may soon be replaced as part of an agreement that could bring Gideon Sa’ar from the United Right party into the position.

Netanyahu initially fired Gallant last year during the judicial reform controversy, after the defense minister called for a pause on the legislation to allow for negotiations over a compromise. The dismissal sparked massive protests across the country, with many opponents viewing it as an indication that Netanyahu was prioritizing personal political interests over the nation's well-being.

At the time, Sa’ar strongly criticized Netanyahu’s firing of Gallant, calling it an “act of madness.”

“Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is an act of madness, which attests to a complete lack of discretion. There is no precedent in the history of Israel for a defense minister who was fired for warning, as required by his position, of a security danger. Netanyahu is determined to plunge Israel into the abyss. Every day Netanyahu is in office endangers Israel and its future,” Sa’ar wrote on 𝕏.

Netanyahu later reinstated Gallant, who has continued to serve without incident. However, Netanyahu and Gallant have reportedly clashed many times over the issue of the hostage deal and the IDF’s ability to pause the fighting for several weeks without endangering gains made during the ground campaign. In August, Gallant criticized Netanyahu’s promise of “absolute victory,” calling it “absolute gibberish.”

Gallant has sided with IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, saying the IDF knows how to pause – and even withdraw – from certain areas, without risking its tactical achievements.

According to the latest reports, Netanyahu is considering bringing Gideon Sa’ar into the government, either as a direct replacement for Gallant or by juggling existing ministerial portfolios.

Sa’ar was previously part of the emergency unity government, as part of the New Hope party, along with National Unity leader Benny Gantz. However, Sa’ar left the government in March, after being denied a position in the War Cabinet.

Before that, Sa’ar was part of the Likud party but left to start his own party after failing to win an internal election against Netanyahu in 2020.

Sa’ar is considered a center-right politician, with a hawkish security policy similar to that of Netanyahu. Sa’ar recently said that military action against Hezbollah is necessary and that “it’s better not to delay.”

Gallant has advised that Israel should finish its fight with the Hamas terror group in Gaza before turning its attention to Hezbollah forces in the north. However, Gallant also supports future military action against Hezbollah. Both Gallant and Sa’ar have said that it will be impossible for Israel to return northern residents to their homes without dealing with Hezbollah.

Officials from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) denied that negotiations between Sa’ar and Netanyahu are taking place, saying: "The reports regarding negotiations with Gideon Sa'ar are incorrect.”