Netanyahu Reinstates Israel’s Defense Minister After Firing Him

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Berlin on March 16, 2023. Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on April 10 that he has reinstated his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, after firing him for criticizing the Israeli leader’s efforts to change the country’s judiciary.

“In the last days, we worked together and stood together around the clock on all the fronts against the security challenges,” Netanyahu told reporters.

“There were disagreements between us, even difficult ones on certain topics, but I decided to leave them behind. Gallant will remain in his position and will continue to work tougher on behalf of the state of Israel,” he said.

In a tweet following Netanyahu’s remarks, Gallant posted a picture of himself sitting next to Netanyahu and wrote in Hebrew, “We continue together with full strength, for Israel’s security.”

Netanyahu had fired Gallant on March 26 after the latter called for a pause in the former’s effort to change Israel’s judiciary. The proposed changes include allowing the government to appoint judges and for the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, to overturn Supreme Court decisions.

Netanyahu has been criticized for attempting the move in order to shield himself from legal liability as he is under indictment in multiple corruption scandals.

Gallant’s firing further inflamed tensions as the protests against the efforts only got bigger with traffic being blocked and drastic measures being taken by the population including Israeli Defense Forces reserve members saying they wouldn’t report if called to action.

Netanyahu announced on March 27 a pause in the effort to change Israel’s judiciary until the next legislative session, which will be after Passover.

In Israel, Passover started on April 5 and will end on April 12 (April 13 outside of Israel).

“I am taking a time out in the legislation of the judicial reform,” said Netanyahu.

“In order to prevent a rift in our people, I have decided to suspend the vote on the second and third reading of the legislation in the current Knesset session, in order to try and reach an understanding on the legislation during the next Knesset session.”

Netanyahu pledged to “bring a reform that will restore the balance between the different branches of government while strengthening civil liberties.”

The United States expressed concern about the protests.

“As the president recently discussed with Prime Minister Netanyahu, democratic values have always been and must remain a hallmark of the U.S.–Israel relationship,” National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a March 26 statement.

“We continue to strongly urge Israeli leaders to find a compromise as soon as possible. We believe that is the best path forward for Israel and all of its citizens. United States support for Israel’s security and democracy remains ironclad.”