Yoav Gallant

Address to the Nation Following Dismissal Defense Minister of Israel

First uploaded 5 November 2025

A few minutes before eight o’clock, the Prime Minister informed me that he has decided to dismiss me from my position as Defense Minister, in the midst of the war.

I made it clear to the Prime Minister that my priorities, which have remained constant and clear throughout nearly fifty years of public service, are as follows: The State of Israel; the IDF and the security establishment, and only afterward, everything else, including my personal future.

The decision to dismiss me comes after a series of impressive achievements, unprecedented in the history of the State of Israel -- achievements of the IDF, the Shin Bet, the Mossad, and the entire security system. We struck in Gaza and Lebanon, in Judea and Samaria. We eliminated terrorist leaders across the Middle East; and for the first time ever, carried out a precise and lethal strike in Iran, among other operations.

I am proud of the security establishment’s achievements. I trust the commanders and the soldiers. Israel’s security has been and remains the mission of my life, and I am committed to it. Since October 7, I have focused on one and only one issue: victory in the war.

Throughout the past year, I led the security establishment to achieve this goal for the State of Israel and its citizens, providing full support to the IDF, the Shin Bet, the Mossad, and the Ministry of Defense. My dismissal stems from disagreements on three main issues:

The first is my firm stance that everyone of conscription age must serve in the IDF and defend the State of Israel. This issue is no longer just a social matter; it is the most critical matter for our existence -- the security of the State of Israel and the people living in Zion. In this campaign, we have lost hundreds of soldiers; we have suffered thousands of wounded and disabled, and the war is still continuing.

The coming years will present us with complex challenges; wars are not over, and the sound of battle has not ceased. We must face these future challenges head-on and prepare. Under these circumstances, there is no choice -- everyone must serve in the IDF and participate in the mission to defend the State of Israel. We must not allow a discriminatory and corrupt law to pass in the Knesset that would exempt tens of thousands of citizens from bearing this burden. The time for change has come.

The second issue is our moral obligation and responsibility to bring our kidnapped sons and daughters back home as quickly as possible, with as many alive as possible, to their families. Based on my role, experience, and the military achievements of the past year, with a clear-eyed view of reality, I state that this is achievable but involves painful compromises that Israel can bear, and the IDF can deal with. We cannot bring back those hostages who have died. There is and will not be any atonement for abandoning the captives. It will be a mark of Cain on the forehead of Israeli society and those leading this mistaken path.

The third issue is the necessity of drawing lessons through a thorough and relevant investigation. When it comes to the national level -- political, security, and military -- there is a name for uncovering the truth and learning from it: a state commission of inquiry. I have said and I repeat, I am responsible for the security establishment over the past two years -- for the successes and the failures. Only sunlight and a truthful investigation will allow us to learn and build our strength to face future challenges.

I state here, as clearly and explicitly as possible, that difficult challenges still await us against Iran and its proxies in the region. The security establishment is strong; we strike our enemies and defeat them. But the battle is not over. Unfortunately, we are destined to live for many more years by the sword, but it is better that the sword remains in our hands than is placed at our throats. In this regard, I say: The IDF and other security organizations are the shield that grants life to the State of Israel. I have not allowed and will not allow any harm to come to the IDF or the other security organizations, the commanders, and the soldiers.

Citizens of Israel:

I will continue to uphold my priorities and the principles I have outlined. Throughout my years in the IDF, in training and operations, on land, above water and below, I learned that in conditions of darkness and fog, one must navigate by the compass. In our situation, when the fog of war is thick and moral darkness surrounds us, I cling to the compass. My hope is that, in addition to the security establishment, which has always followed this path, our elected officials will also adopt it. It is the right thing to do both practically and morally.

Here, on this occasion, I wish to salute the fallen and their families, the wounded and the disabled, the captives and their families, and the IDF fighters wherever they may be.

I trust you and salute you.

Original Text Source: timesofisrael.com

Original Image (Screenshot) Source: YouTube

Page Updated: 11/6//24

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