Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Sunday, January 1, 2023
From the Liveblog of
Sunday, January 1, 2023
Gallant taking over as defense minister with ceremony at military HQ
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (left forefront) pictured during a ministerial handover ceremony at military headquarters in Tel Aviv on January 1, 2023 (Emanuel Fabian/Times of Israel)
A handover ceremony for the defense minister is being held at the military’s headquarters in Tel Aviv.
Incoming minister Gallant, a former top general who began his military career in the elite Shayetet 13 naval commando unit, is a highly regarded military strategist.
Though once in the running to be IDF chief of staff, he had to pull out after becoming embroiled in a scandal regarding the encroachment of his house and garden onto public lands.
After he was disqualified, the position went to Benny Gantz, who is now the outgoing defense minister.
