Israelis Protest Firing of Defense Minister

## Political Tensions Rise as Israel's Prime Minister Dismisses Defense Minister

In a significant development amid ongoing conflicts, Israel's Prime Minister recently dismissed the Defense Minister, citing a lack of critical trust during a time when the nation faces a two-front war. The relationship between the two leaders, which had been cooperative at the war's onset, has deteriorated over recent months. The Defense Minister, advocating for a cease-fire deal in Gaza to secure hostage releases, attributed his dismissal to his calls for universal conscription, the prioritization of hostage returns, and demands for an independent inquiry into the October 7 attack by Hamas.

The two leaders have had a tumultuous past, with prior dismissals and reinstatements, highlighting long-standing public disagreements within their political party. Among their disputes is the contentious issue of conscription of ultra-Orthodox men, which has polarised Israeli society. Recently, moves to conscript thousands of ultra-Orthodox men have reignited tensions, challenging the stability of the prime minister's coalition.

Further disagreements emerged over the prime minister's strategy for 'total victory' over Hamas, with the Defense Minister expressing skepticism, potentially affecting hostage negotiations. This rift extends to divergent views on plans for a postwar Gaza, with the Defense Minister cautioning against potential negative outcomes and emphasizing the need for a postwar investigation into the security lapses leading up to the recent conflict.

The political tensions have been compounded by disagreements over proposed judicial reforms that sparked nationwide protests. Despite these internal conflicts, the Prime Minister's decision to keep the Defense Minister amid these disagreements underscores the complex dynamics within the government during a challenging period for the country.