Hebrew reports indicated on Friday evening that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will decide regarding the dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and the appointment of Gideon Sa'ar as the new defense minister. Israeli Channel 12 reporter Dafna Lial posted on her "X" platform account that there are intense consultations within Netanyahu's circle about whether he will use the beginning of the break starting Sunday to replace Gallant with Sa'ar. She mentioned that Netanyahu needs to present a political horizon, such as finding a solution to the enlistment issue, so that Sa'ar does not join the government for only a short time.
The Knesset's summer recess begins on July 22 and continues until mid-October, during which time there won't be a vote of no confidence against the government. On July 10, an Israeli report revealed that Prime Minister Netanyahu is considering dismissing Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and appointing Gideon Sa'ar, the leader of the "National Right" party, in the position. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority stated that "Netanyahu discussed with his close associates the possibility of a new proposal for MK Gideon Sa'ar to join the government.”
It added, "The coalition is maintaining contacts with Sa'ar, who has not entirely ruled out the possibility of joining the government." The authority noted that "Netanyahu is discussing with his associates a realistic proposal that would have Sa'ar take over as Minister of Justice," but senior officials within the coalition believe that the proposal is "impractical, and Sa'ar will only accept the offer if he is presented with the defense portfolio."
The authority also reported that "Netanyahu is not in a hurry to adopt the proposal to dismiss the current Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, amidst the war; however, if discussions with Sa'ar advance, it might not be unlikely for this to happen in the future." Sa'ar is a breakaway leader from Netanyahu's "Likud" party and previously held the Justice portfolio.
Sa'ar denied having received an offer to take over the defense portfolio, stating in an interview with Army Radio: "I have not heard anything about it, and I have not received any such proposal; the only thing that matters now is the state of war." Sa'ar considered the relationship between Netanyahu and Gallant to be "one of the most complicating factors affecting the ability to manage the war optimally," alluding to their ongoing disagreements over a prisoner exchange deal, a ceasefire in Gaza, and the arrangements for the post-war period.
Gallant supports reaching an agreement with Hamas and advocates for specific arrangements for the day after the war in Gaza, which Netanyahu rejects. In his remarks to Army Radio, Sa'ar highlighted positions similar to Netanyahu's, saying: "One can only think of a deal that would allow a return to fighting, and until then, one must think about other conditions." He added, "We must use the veto against the identity of the (Palestinian) detainees who will be released and ensure their exile and that they do not return to Jerusalem or the West Bank."
Channel 12 had indicated that Netanyahu is considering removing Gallant. The channel reported that "those around the Prime Minister believe that Gallant is no longer part of the government and are discussing whether he would be dismissed from his position in the coming months." It added, "According to them, Gallant acts as an independent representative, and an opportunity must be found to remove him from his position." The channel considered that "the most suitable timing for that step would be during the holiday period when there is no risk of entering an election cycle."
However, it went on to say, "Those around Netanyahu deny any disagreements with Gallant and claim that the relationship between the two is actually normal."
Israeli daily "Israel Hayom" reported that Netanyahu is contemplating the dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant but hesitates to take this step out of fear of further protests. The Israeli newspaper quoted sources indicating that Netanyahu recently held secret consultations about Gallant's potential dismissal from the government.
It is noteworthy that Sa'ar joined the emergency government formed after the war on Gaza as part of the "National Unity" party led by Benny Gantz but withdrew from the government last March, also changing the name of his party from "New Hope" to "National Right." Sa'ar holds four seats in the Knesset, which could strengthen Netanyahu's position if the far-right "Jewish Power" party led by Itamar Ben Gvir (with six seats) or the far-right "Religious Zionism" party led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (with eight seats) decide to withdraw from the government.
