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January 2, 2025 | 10:51 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who has often taken an independent stance against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing government allies, said on Wednesday he was resigning from parliament.
As reported by Channel NewsAsia, Gallant was fired from the government in November by Netanyahu, after months of wrangling over the genocide in Gaza. However, he retained his seat as an elected member of the Knesset.
"Just as on the battlefield, so too in public service. There are times when one must stop, assess and choose a direction to achieve the goal," Gallant said in a televised statement.
Gallant has often clashed with Netanyahu and his coalition allies of right-wing and religious parties, including over exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from military service - a hot-button issue.
In March 2023, Netanyahu fired Gallant after he pushed to halt a highly controversial government plan to cut the powers of the Supreme Court. His dismissal sparked mass protests and Netanyahu reversed his decision.
Gallant announced his resignation in a video message broadcast by Israeli media, saying he would inform the Knesset speaker of his decision.
He stressed that his 45-year career in public service was only part of a larger journey that is far from over, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Despite his resignation, Gallant reaffirmed his commitment to the Likud Party, saying, “The Likud path is my path.”
By voluntarily resigning, Gallant aims to avoid potential sanctions that could limit his political future in the Likud Party. His departure allows him to remain eligible to run in the next election, potentially as a Likud candidate.
As reported by Anadolu, the Israeli army continues to wage a genocidal war in Gaza that has killed more than 45,550 victims, mostly women and children, since the Hamas offensive on Oct. 7, 2023, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.
In November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the ICC over its war in the enclave.
Editor's Choice: Israel Appeals Against ICC Arrest Warrant for Netanyahu and Gallant
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