Likud backbenchers pen letter to PM urging him to replace Gallant, Halevi, Hagari and top IDF lawyer

Four Likud lawmakers have penned a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling on him to replace Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari and Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi.

“Before we enter into such a significant campaign in Lebanon, we must conduct a system audit,” backbencher MKs Tally Gotliv, Keti Shitrit, Ariel Kallner and Osher Shekalim wrote, adding that the replacement of the Israeli security establishment’s top command is essential for victory against Israel’s foes.

The hardline Likud lawmakers claimed Halevi failed to inform Netanyahu and Gallant about the impending Hamas attack on October 7. They also claimed Halevi didn’t inform the government about his decision to approve daily localized humanitarian pauses to assist in the safe delivery of aid throughout southern Gaza.

The lawmakers attacked Hagari for declaring during a media interview that it is impossible to destroy Hamas, even though the government has made Hamas’s destruction one of its primary war aims.

The letter also claims — without proof — that Tomer-Yerushalmi has been “binding the hands of soldiers and granting immunity to terrorists.”

The lawmakers urged Netanyahu to replace Gallant with someone from outside the security establishment, amid the far right’s growing distrust in the IDF, Shin Bet and Mossad leadership.