Yisrael Katz, the proposed Defense Minister by Benjamin Netanyahu, was sworn in on Thursday evening, November 17, in the Israeli parliament. Concurrently, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant expressed gratitude to the United States for its support before saying goodbye. In a special session of the Knesset held to review and approve changes in Netanyahu's government, opposition leader Yair Lapid opposed Katz's appointment as Defense Minister, urging him to prioritize Israel's security over political concerns and to refrain from accepting the position. Ultimately, the parliament approved Katz's appointment, introducing him as the new Defense Minister of Israel. The Knesset also appointed Gideon Sa'ar as the new Foreign Minister of Israel in place of Katz. On the other hand, the ousted Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, in a post on X, thanked the United States for the cooperation between the two countries during the war while bidding farewell to his colleagues and the Israeli armed forces. He expressed gratitude to the U.S. Secretary of Defense and the government for their 'extraordinary support during Israel's darkest hours,' stating, 'It was my honor to serve my country and work with you to deepen the ties between our nations.' Gallant added, 'The relationship between Israel and the U.S. is essential for the security and well-being of the State of Israel and the Jewish people, and we must remember that the United States and Israel are beacons of light, freedom, and progress in this world that must remain strong and unwavering.' Additionally, Netanyahu dismissed Gallant from the Defense Ministry on November 15, replacing him with Yisrael Katz and appointing Gideon Sa'ar as the new Foreign Minister. Netanyahu cited a lack of trust between himself and his Defense Minister as the reason for Gallant's dismissal, stating, 'Unfortunately, although there was trust in the early months of the war and much productive work was done, in the last months, that trust between me and the Defense Minister evaporated.'
Israel Katz Sworn in as Defense Minister of Israel; Yoav Gallant Thanks the U.S. Before Farewell
Yisrael Katz was sworn in as Israel's new Defense Minister amid opposition from Yair Lapid, who urged him to prioritize security over politics. Former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant thanked the U.S. for its support during the conflict before his departure. This leadership change reflects ongoing political tensions and the importance of U.S.-Israel relations.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Yisrael Katz was sworn in as Israel's new Defense Minister, replacing Yoav Gallant, who thanked the U.S. for its support before leaving office. The appointment was met with opposition from Yair Lapid, emphasizing the ongoing political tensions in Israel.
- Katz's appointment was approved by the Knesset despite opposition.
- Gallant was dismissed by Netanyahu due to a loss of trust.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Israel's political landscape is often marked by internal divisions, especially regarding security policies, which are pivotal in the context of its adversarial relationship with Iran.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%