Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is seeking to form a national unity government that excludes extremist ministers such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
According to a Friday publication of the Israeli newspaper “Yedioth Ahronoth,” Gallant believes in the necessity of establishing a national unity government that includes both opposition leader Yair Lapid and “State Camp” leader Benny Gantz, while excluding the far-right ministers like Ben-Gvir and Smotrich.
The newspaper reports that Gallant is determined to work towards achieving this situation, even if it requires him to relinquish the position of Defense Minister.
In his recent article for Yedioth Ahronoth, journalist Nahum Barnea disclosed that Gallant believes that forming a government without far-right extremists is a necessary step for Israel now, given the challenges in the security, healthcare, justice systems, and relations with the US government, both in cities and on the streets.
“When a child has a fever, you must put them in a container filled with ice. The child will scream, but the fever will subside,” added Barnea on Gallant’s approach.
Gallant was actively involved in trying to remove the “reasonability” clause from Netanyahu’s proposed “judicial reform” project right up until the Knesset’s vote last Monday. His aim was to find a compromise that would prevent the legislation from being approved. However, his efforts did not yield the desired outcome.
Moreover, Yedioth Ahronoth had uncovered the backstage happenings in the Knesset prior to the approval of Netanyahu's controversial “judicial reform” project, which has faced significant opposition among Israelis.
According to the newspaper, on the morning of the vote on the law, Gallant left the main hall and had a meeting in the back hallway with Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who is a key supporter of the judicial amendment.
Also present were Smotrich and Knesset’s Law and Constitution Committee Chairman Simcha Rotman, along with others.
During this encounter, Gallant expressed his concerns to Levin and said: “The problem doesn't lie in what we decide today. Every decision will be detrimental. The real issue is that you have led us to this critical juncture.”
