The Israeli press was busy on Wednesday with the Israeli Prime Minister’s decision Benjamin Netanyahu Dismissal of the Minister of Defense Yoav Galantwhich once again highlighted the political differences within the occupation government, and brought back to the forefront the crisis of judicial amendments in 2023.
While this dismissal sparked a storm of reactions in political and media circles, and thousands of Israelis took to the streets to express their anger and opposition to the move, the general reactions of writers and analysts in Israeli newspapers were characterized by strong criticism of this move, while highlighting its causes and repercussions.
In this report, we present the opinions of 3 of the most prominent writers and analysts in Israeli newspapers: military analyst Nahum Barnea from Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, Yossi Verter, political analyst from Haaretz newspaper, in addition to Ben Caspit, the prominent political analyst in Maariv newspaper.
“Democracy is dead”
Nahum Barnea approached the decision to dismiss Gallant from a sensitive angle, warning of its repercussions on Israeli national security and the relationship between the army and society, as well as its impact on Israel’s alleged democratic status.
Barnea believes that Gallant was not personally opposing Netanyahu, but was expressing real concerns about the impact of judicial reforms on the internal cohesion of the army and on the soldiers’ ability to carry out their duties.
“While politicians may treat the army as an institution subject to higher decisions, soldiers and officers see the army as their fortress, and Gallant’s dismissal may sow the seeds of doubts and divisions within this institution,” Barnea wrote.
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Barnea explains that Gallant was seeking to prevent the politicization of the army, warning that “the Israeli army is an institution around which the Israelis rally,” and that dismissing its defense minister in this way could lead to rifts and turn the army into an arena for political debates.
He added, “Gallant tried to protect the military institution from politicization that might undermine its independence and weaken its combat readiness.”
He also accuses Netanyahu of seeking to control all aspects of the government without regard to the warnings of the military.
Although he is considered the new Minister of Defense Yisrael Katz He is “a seasoned and experienced politician who swims well in a concentrated swamp Likud“War management is not the job for which he was trained,” he says.
He adds, “The army may be able to dispense with a defense minister, but what will happen to the complex communications with the US Department of Defense? Assuming that Katz brings there the same diplomatic wisdom that made him quarrel with every possible country in his role as foreign minister, we are in trouble.”
The Israeli military analyst believes that “the decision to dismiss Gallant may affect the government’s image internally and externally,” and wonders, “How will the countries of the world believe in the strength and stability of the Israeli army if its decisions are subject to change and manipulation according to political interests?”
Barnea also warns that this step may lead to more divisions within the government coalition and undermine popular confidence in Netanyahu’s leadership.
He concludes his article with a striking comment that states, “Some democracies die overnight. In a bloodbath, our democracy dies slowly, gradually, and quietly.”
“Leads Israel to the abyss”
In Haaretz, Yossi Verter presented a comprehensive analysis of the backgrounds and repercussions of Gallant’s dismissal, emphasizing that this step comes in the context of the major political transformations that Israel is witnessing.
Werther believes that this decision is an attempt by Netanyahu to control all centers that may oppose his reform agenda.
He added, “Gallant’s dismissal was not surprising, as it is in line with Netanyahu’s style, which does not accept internal opposition and considers it a personal threat to his agenda.”
Werther believes that Netanyahu considers the army a political tool in his hand, and explains this by saying, “Instead of protecting the army from political manipulation, Netanyahu seeks to use it as a means to achieve his political interests. Gallant was not a personal opponent, but rather he was defending the army institution as an independent institution that serves all Israelis.”
He also believes that Gallant “represented the voice of conscience in the government, and when Netanyahu dismissed him, this meant that the government lost a voice that was trying to prevent it from making mistakes.”
He also says that “Netanyahu’s decision to dismiss the Defense Minister is an act of madness that indicates a complete lack of governance,” and describes Netanyahu as “determined to degenerate, lead Israel to the abyss, and every day he spends in power is miserable for Israel and its future.”
He also speaks of the dismissal as a “direct attack on state security,” in the midst of a war for what he called “a group of deceivers and parasites in a stinking political shack.”
Werther also pointed out that Gallant’s dismissal may create a rift in Israeli society between those who support the government and those who oppose it. He says, “Thousands of Israelis have gone out to demonstrate to express their dissatisfaction, and this indicates that the Israeli street sees what is happening as a threat to their security and future.”
The political analyst believes that this popular movement is the beginning of a new phase of conflict between the government and society, and that it may lead to an unprecedented social explosion if the government continues to ignore popular demands.
He adds that Gallant’s dismissal may pose a threat to the government coalition, as members of the Likud Party may find themselves forced to choose between adhering to Netanyahu’s agenda or siding with the interests of the state.
In this context, he points out that “this situation may lead to divisions within Likud, as not everyone wants to sacrifice Israel’s security and social constants for the sake of short-term political interests.”
Werther concludes his article by saying, “This is the only goal of the war that really matters to Netanyahu: sailing the ship of his racist coalition until October 2026 (the date of the next Israeli elections) and reaching this date after assembling the parts required for a renewed coup, which will cause the problem to worsen.”
The chiefs of staff and the Shin Bet are in the line of fire
As for Ben Caspit, the most famous writer and political analyst in Maariv newspaper, he begins his article by highlighting the role played by Yoav Gallant in the war, noting that Gallant had taken decisive positions in dealing with military crises, including issues related to Iran and Hezbollah.
Ben Caspit believes that Gallant’s political differences with Netanyahu over how to manage state and security affairs have increased, which led to his dismissal at a sensitive moment, noting that “Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar Bata are in Netanyahu’s crosshairs in his quest to build a government completely subservient to his image.” And exclude anyone who might pose a threat to him.”
The Israeli analyst also spoke about the timing of the dismissal, saying, “The timing was chosen carefully: on the eve of the American elections, and when the public is impatiently awaiting an Iranian attack,” which indicates – according to Ben Caspit – that “Netanyahu was aiming to divert attention from other issues in Israel, such as the ongoing investigations in his office, and the focus on the security file.”
Ben Caspit also highlighted that “the dismissal occurred in the midst of two intense investigations by… Shin Bet And the police regarding what is happening in the Prime Minister’s Office. In the first place, a channel of theft and smuggling of highly classified materials from military intelligence to elements close to Netanyahu who leaked them in order to carry out “influence operations” on the Israeli public was examined. This is immediate and continuing damage to intelligence sources, to human life, and to the efforts made. To return the hostages, according to sources familiar with the investigation.”
He added, “It appears that the second investigation – whose existence has now been announced – deals with an attempt to remove, change or delete various protocols, documents and certificates from highly sensitive offices and war-related materials.”
Ben Caspit also calls for reflection on the political motives behind this decision, noting that Gallant’s dismissal was a move primarily aimed at “preserving the alliance and perpetuating the ultra-Orthodox’s evasion of conscription.”
Ben Caspit continues his criticism of Netanyahu by saying, “Netanyahu’s main problem with Gallant is that he tried to protect the army from him and his poison machine,” referring to his desire to control the military institution for the benefit of his political agenda.
Ben Caspit’s words were not limited to analyzing the position of Netanyahu and Gallant, but he also addressed the role of Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar in this political conflict, as he believes that Sa’ar – who in the past was one of Netanyahu’s most prominent critics – has today become one of his biggest supporters, and he says, “It turns out that Sa’ar He reversed his promises and forgot them, and sold his voters and his soul in order to respond to extreme Orthodox evasion.”
Ben Caspit concludes his article by emphasizing that Israel is going through a period of great internal turmoil, as the dismissal comes at a very difficult time, which further complicates the political and security situation in the country.
