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.
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Jul 17, 2026
Lean Left
Defense Minister Gallant faces internal IDF criticism over rules of engagement that allow settler violence.
Labor/Meretz argue he fails to enforce law equally in the West Bank, effectively greenlighting far-right vigilantism.
Jul 16, 2026
Lean Left
Gallant faces criticism from both the far-right for opposing a full-scale invasion of Rafah and from the center-left for failing to secure a hostage deal.
Labor/Meretz view Gallant as a reluctant enabler: he occasionally pushes back on extremists but lacks the political will to break with Netanyahu's coalition.
Jul 13, 2026
Far Right
As Israeli war minister, he threatened to destroy Lebanon like Gaza.
His genocidal rhetoric justifies Iran's support for Hezbollah and the need to counter Zionist expansion.
Jul 13, 2026
Far Left
Gallant oversees the Gaza offensive and faces internal dissent over lack of clear strategy and high casualties.
Criticized for implementing collective punishment and failing to secure hostage release through diplomacy.
Jul 11, 2026
Lean Left
Defense Minister Gallant publicly expressed support for a hostage deal, putting him at odds with far-right ministers.
Gallant's stance is seen as a rare moderate voice in the security cabinet, but Labor/Meretz remain skeptical of his overall commitment to a ceasefire.
Jul 11, 2026
Far Left
Defense Minister warning of internal security threats and overseeing military operations in Gaza.
Hadash sees him as complicit in war crimes but notes his rare calls for a ceasefire plan.
Jul 11, 2026
Far Right
Defense Minister Gallant oversees the ongoing operations in Lebanon and the discovery of Hezbollah weapons caches
Religious Zionists generally support Gallant's actions against Hezbollah but remain wary of any potential ceasefire deals that might cede military gains.
Jul 10, 2026
Far Left
Gallant warned that the government's fiscal policies are damaging the economy and military readiness.
Hadash views him as a centrist figure but criticizes his role in overseeing the Gaza war.
Jul 9, 2026
Far Left
Gallant faces criticism from within the army over the lack of a post-war plan for Gaza.
Hadash holds Gallant accountable for the military's devastating campaign in Gaza and the high civilian toll.
Jul 9, 2026
Far Left
Gallant is overseeing the military campaign in Gaza while facing criticism over the lack of a clear postwar strategy.
Hadash criticizes Gallant for implementing collective punishment against Gaza and for failing to protect civilian lives.
