Israel’s former defense chief Gallant quit politics in Reuters

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, who has often taken a stand against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government allies, said he would resign from parliament on Wednesday.

Galant was ousted from the government in November after months of disagreements over the course of the war with Hamas in Gaza, but he retained his seat as an elected member of the Knesset.

In a televised statement, Gallant said, “Just as it is on the battlefield, so it is in public service. There are times when one must stop, evaluate and choose a direction in order to achieve one’s goals.”

Gallant has often broken ranks with Netanyahu and his allies in the far-right and secular parties, including the exclusion of ultra-Orthodox Jews from conscription — a hot-button issue.

In the year In March 2023, Netanyahu urged Gallant to halt a controversial government plan to cut the Supreme Court’s powers. His dismissal sparked public protests and Netanyahu backed down.

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Gallant and Netanyahu, along with the Hamas leader, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza war, which Israel disputes.