From the Liveblog of
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Now ex-defense minister Gallant thanks US for support as firing becomes official
Yoav Gallant is officially relieved of duty as defense minister with the expiration of 48 hours since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired him on Tuesday night.
In a farewell message, Gallant says he spoke to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to thank him “for his partnership and deep commitment to the defense cooperation between our countries, and to the security of the State of Israel.”
He praises Washington for its “extraordinary support” following the October 7, 2023 attack.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve my country and to work together in further deepening the bond between our nations. Our ties are critical to the security and prosperity of the State of Israel and the Jewish people,” he writes on X.
As I complete my role as Israel’s Minister of Defense, I spoke this evening with my friend, U.S. @secdef Lloyd Austin. I expressed my deep appreciation to the Secretary for his partnership and deep commitment to the defense cooperation between our countries, and to the security… pic.twitter.com/SHJBHOynAk
— יואב גלנט – Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) November 7, 2024
At the Knesset, voting is set to begin on the appointment of Foreign Minister Israel Katz to replace Gallant as defense chief, and to hand the reins of the Foreign Ministry to coalition arriviste Gideon Sa’ar.
A modest handover ceremony for the defense minister role is planned for Friday morning.
