Gallant slams Netanyahu’s ‘lies,’ says he puts coalition ahead of Israel’s security

5 June 2025, 6:23 pm

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Then-defense Minister Yoav Gallant speaks during a press conference at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to fire him from his position, on November 5, 2024. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

Former defense minister Yoav Gallant responds to a recording of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu telling a senior rabbi that he ousted the minister and former IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen Herzi Halevi to enable his coalition to advance a law exempting ultra-Orthodox men from military service.

“I heard Netanyahu’s lies. The false accusations come to cover up a simple truth: For me, the security of the State of Israel is first and foremost. For him — the security of the coalition is put ahead of Israel’s security. The only thing that bothers Netanyahu, in his words, is that I refused to pass a law exempting Haredim from IDF service,” Gallant says in a video statement.

“Everyone must serve. It is essential to ease the burden,” he adds.