Israeli defense minister officially steps down
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Sulaiman
- . November 8, 2024
- . Update: November 8, 2024 10:42 pm
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant earlier this week and Gallant formally resigned Friday in a ceremony, replacing him with former Foreign Minister Israel Katz.
Gallant’s firing has shocked Israel and the announcement has sparked widespread protests throughout the nation. Gallant is seen by many in Israel as the only moderate voice in a far-right administration and his resignation is seen as evidence that Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right cabinet is no longer interested in freeing hostages who are still in Gaza.
His replacement Israel Katz is a former Cabinet minister and longtime Netanyahu supporter and is now foreign minister.
“The war’s mission is not yet complete. We must meet our moral and traditional obligation and the war’s objective is to bring home the remaining 101 hostages who haven’t yet seen their families and homes,” Gallant said, thanking the soldiers.
Katz thanked Gallant and said the war’s objectives were to “stop Iranian aggression and deny its capabilities, continue dismantling Hamas as a governing and military force, and defeat Hezbollah.” He also added that returning the hostages was a top “moral priority.”
“Yoav, we were friends and will remain friends because we believe in the same things that will secure Israel’s security and future, the Jewish state. I promise that the entire State of Israel will emerge from this war and from the pain to much higher places,” Kartz added.
