You are Fired!

 On Tuesday night, Netanyahu fired Yoav Gallant, his defense minister and fiercest opponent.

The two politicians have long been at odds despite belonging to the Likud party. In a major disagreement, Netanyahu tried to fire Gallant last year for calling for a halt to his plan to overhaul the judicial system.

The firing comes less than two weeks after Gallant led a successful strike on Iran, taking out its military production capabilities.

The Defense Minister has also been a key player in the military coordination with the US, which has led a five-army coalition that has twice taken to the skies to defend Israel.

Netanyahu’s firing of Gallant in the middle of a multi-front war with Iran has only strengthened the argument that the Prime Minister has put Israel’s security requirements at risk to ensure his political survival.

With Gallant out of the way and Donald Trump, who Netanyahu assumes will be friendlier than his predecessor, the prime minister hopes he can prove to Israelis that he can ultimately deliver the “total victory” he promised.

Gallant’s sacking could also well be a warning to members of Israel’s security establishment who disagree with the prime minister regarding the war’s conduction, the efforts to get the hostages back home, and what should be next regarding governance in the Gaza strip.

Of no less consideration in Netanyahu’s decision regarding the former naval commando he appointed as Defense minister is Gallant’s opposition to exempting Haredim from military service. The “Haredi bills” is presently one of the most strenuous issues on Netanyahu’s agenda.

As “The Economist” magazine wrote in its November 6 edition

“Differences in military strategy are one thing, but jeopardizing the coalition is another. Mr. Netanyahu’s war strategy has always prioritized his political survival.”