Former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has resigned from the Knesset, less than two months after he was dismissed from his ministerial role, local media reported.
Gallant made the announcement on Wednesday evening, criticising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government for undermining national security. Despite his resignation, Gallant stated that he would remain a member of Netanyahu's Likud party.
In a statement reported by Israeli media, Gallant credited himself for his political and military contributions, claiming he had "partially" dismantled the military capabilities of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.
As a former defence minister, he also took responsibility for Israel's handling of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and the ongoing war, The Times of Israel reported.
Looking at his service, Gallant has stressed his 35 years of service in the IDF, a decade as a Knesset member, and two years as Defence Minister, which he said were "dramatic."
He noted that his political career was still unfinished and that he would return to challenge for party leadership.
"As a member of the Likud movement, I will continue to fight for the movement's path. My path is the Likud path, and I believe in its principles and trust its members and voters. Since I voted for the Likud party for the first time in my life and was a partner in Menachem Begin's revolution, I have remained loyal to the movement's national and ideological path," Gallant stated.
He accused Netanyahu and current Defence Minister Israel Katz of compromising national security by supporting a bill that establishes military exemptions for much of the Ultra-Orthodox community. Gallant argued that it is "a military necessity" to draft the Ultra-Orthodox
He was also concerned over the judicial overhaul being carried out by the government, which he referred to as "a clear and immediate danger" to Israel. He mentioned that he had raised this risk even before the attacks on October 7.
Furthermore, he attacked the government for not being able to bring the hostages taken by Hamas in Gaza back home. "There can be no victory until they are brought back home," he said.
Following his speech, Gallant submitted his resignation to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana.
Since his dismissal by Netanyahu on November 5, Gallant had been absent from several key coalition votes, including a critical budget-related bill passed on Tuesday. Netanyahu had to leave his hospital bed post-surgery to ensure the bill's passage amidst dissent from far-right and ultra-Orthodox coalition members.
Local media reports also indicate that Abed Afif, a representative of the Druze minority, is likely to replace Gallant in the Knesset. Afif held the 44th spot on the Likud party list in the 2022 elections and would be the only Druze lawmaker in the governing coalition.
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