Yoav Gallant is an Israeli politician and former military officer who served as minister of defense between 2022 and 2024. Gallant was an officer in the Southern Command of the Israel Defense Forces, serving in the Israeli Navy. In January 2015 he entered politics, joining the new Kulanu party. After being elected to the Knesset he was appointed minister of construction. At the end of 2018 he joined Likud, shortly after which he became minister of Aliyah and Integration.
In 2020 he was appointed minister of education, and the following year became minister of defense. On 5 November 2024, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had dismissed Gallant, effective 7 November, and sought to have Israel Katz replace him. Gallant subsequently resigned from the Knesset on 5 January 2025.
Standing...
Stories...
Jul 30, 2026
Lean Left
Defense Minister publicly clashing with Netanyahu over post-war plans and military exemptions for Haredim.
Seen as a rare moderate in the security cabinet, but criticized for not resigning over far-right policies.
Jul 29, 2026
Far Left
Gallant publicly contradicts Netanyahu over the need for a postwar plan in Gaza.
Seen as a more rational face of the security establishment, but still complicit in war crimes.
Jul 28, 2026
Far Right
As Defense Minister, Gallant oversees IDF operations including interceptions of UAVs near the Jordan border and the new outposts authorization.
Religious Zionism trusts his leadership to maintain strong security while supporting settlement expansion.
Jul 28, 2026
Far Left
Fired as defense minister after publicly opposing judicial overhaul and, more recently, warning of war failures.
Hadash sees his dismissal as a sign of Netanyahu's desperation, though Gallant himself is no peace advocate.
Jul 26, 2026
Far Left
Gallant as Defense Minister oversees the military campaign in Gaza and faces international pressure over civilian casualties.
Hadash holds Gallant responsible for war crimes and the high death toll in Gaza, calling for his resignation.
Jul 23, 2026
Lean Left
Leaked recording shows him opposing full reoccupation of Gaza; coalition hardliners attack his stance.
Labor/Meretz see Gallant as a rare moderate in the security cabinet, supporting a more pragmatic war strategy.
Jul 22, 2026
Far Left
Defense Minister signals possible shift toward West Bank military escalation.
Considered unreliable by Hadash; his actions support occupation even when he voices occasional caution.
Jul 19, 2026
Far Left
Defense Minister Gallant issued new orders for military operations in northern Gaza amid stalled ceasefire talks.
Gallant is criticized for overseeing a war that has caused massive civilian casualties, with no clear strategy for ending it.
Jul 18, 2026
Lean Right
The Defense Ministry is conducting an exercise on Highway 35, and Gallant is likely overseeing the broader Iran evacuation order.
Gallant is the driving force behind military readiness and the Iran strike threat, which Likud supports as a sober but essential deterrent.
Jul 17, 2026
Far Left
Gallant warns that the Haredi draft crisis threatens army readiness, as ultra-Orthodox protests grow outside recruitment offices.
Hadash supports Gallant's stance but criticizes his complicity in the broader war strategy and settlement expansion.
