Senior Israeli military officials reportedly convene following the firing of defense minister
Israel Defense Forces Chief Herzi Halevi is reportedly convening the General Staff forum on Monday to discuss the security implications of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The forum consists of the most senior commanders in the IDF.
The dismissal followed a television address by Gallant, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, urging the government to pause the coalition’s judicial overhaul legislation, saying it threatens Israel’s national security.
“For the sake of Israel’s security, for the sake of our sons and daughters, the legislative process must be stopped at this time,” warned Gallant who, until recently, was a senior official in the Netanyahu government.
Netanyahu fired Gallant as defense minister shortly after Gallant's television appearance.
Following his dismissal, Gallant stressed that he remained committed to the Jewish state’s security.
“The security of the State of Israel has always been and will always remain my life’s mission,” he said.
Gallant’s dismissal only intensified growing anti-government sentiments in the country, with tens of thousands of Israelis taking to the streets on Sunday evening to protest against the judicial reforms.
While Israel is facing a serious general strike domestically, the IDF leaders are concerned that Iran and terror groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas might take advantage of the internal political turmoil in Israel.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior Israeli defense official warned on Sunday that Israel’s enemies are viewing the Jewish state as increasingly as weak and divided.
“Our enemies see Israel as weak and limited in its retaliation, especially in light of the weakening of international support,” said the defense official.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
