A Timeline of Clashes Between Netanyahu and Gallant, Israel’s Former Defense Minister

The relationship between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister, Avigdor Gallant, has been tumultuous to say the least. Over the years, the two men have clashed on a number of issues, leading to Gallant’s eventual resignation from his position. Let’s take a look at a timeline of some of the key clashes between the two politicians:

1. July 2014: Operation Protective Edge
One of the first major clashes between Netanyahu and Gallant occurred during Israel’s Operation Protective Edge in Gaza. Gallant, who was serving as the Minister of Housing at the time, criticized Netanyahu for not taking more aggressive action against Hamas. He called for a ground invasion of Gaza, while Netanyahu opted for airstrikes instead.

2. November 2018: Resignation of Defense Minister
In November 2018, Gallant resigned from his position as Defense Minister in protest of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. He accused Netanyahu of capitulating to the terrorist group and failing to protect Israeli citizens. Gallant’s resignation sparked a political crisis in Israel and eventually led to early elections.

3. April 2019: Rejoining the Government
Despite their past clashes, Gallant rejoined Netanyahu’s government in April 2019 as a member of the Likud party. However, tensions between the two men continued to simmer beneath the surface.

4. May 2020: Annexation Plans
Netanyahu’s plans to annex parts of the West Bank caused another rift between him and Gallant. Gallant, who is known for his hardline stance on security issues, criticized Netanyahu’s annexation plans as being too cautious. He called for a more aggressive approach to asserting Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank.

5. November 2020: Resignation from Politics
In November 2020, Gallant announced that he would be resigning from politics altogether. He cited personal reasons for his decision, but many speculated that his ongoing disagreements with Netanyahu played a role in his departure.

Overall, the clashes between Netanyahu and Gallant highlight the deep divisions within Israeli politics when it comes to issues of security and defense. While Netanyahu has been criticized for his cautious approach to conflict, Gallant’s more aggressive tactics have also sparked controversy. As Israel continues to navigate its complex security challenges, it remains to be seen how these clashes will shape the country’s future.