Rift in Likud: Gallant's Accusations of Lying Against Netanyahu Pave the Way for His Departure from the Ruling Party

The ruling Likud party in the occupying state is witnessing an unprecedented state of sharp accusations exchanged between its leaders, culminating in the attack launched by former War Minister Yoav Gallant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Gallant described Netanyahu as a 'liar' and accused him of deliberately harming the Israeli army, which observers considered tantamount to an implicit and final resignation from the party's ranks.

Media sources reported that Gallant recently announced his de facto retirement from Likud through his bold statements, which spread widely on social media platforms and news channels. It appears that the former minister left angry with the prime minister, especially after the revelation of a controversial document prepared by Netanyahu for the State Comptroller aimed at exonerating him from responsibility for the events of October 7th.

According to Gallant's view, this document is full of lies and does not match the reality in which he was a partner as Minister of War before the attack and during the first year of the war. Sources confirmed that Gallant sees Netanyahu's behavior as an attempt to falsify historical facts related to the management of the major security crisis that Israel faced.

Gallant accused the prime minister of clear hesitation in making decisive decisions, noting that he refrained from acting to eliminate Hezbollah's capabilities at critical times. He also pointed out that Netanyahu did not initiate the mobilization of reserve forces on October 7th, and was not even present at the military headquarters when the first fateful decisions were made that morning.

Political analyses suggest that the inevitable outcome of this confrontation is the impossibility of Gallant remaining in the Likud party, especially after Netanyahu's supporters filed a lawsuit against him in the party court. This internal legal action practically means his immediate expulsion, and no legal efforts will succeed in returning him to the ranks of the party that Netanyahu controls with an iron fist.

Analysts believe that Gallant's attempt to compete in any upcoming primaries would be political suicide and a waste of financial resources without success. After his resignation from the Knesset in January 2025 and another member taking his place, Gallant lost his parliamentary budget and organizational influence within the ruling party's institutions.

Gallant's career in Likud has been full of transformations. In the 2022 elections, he was considered one of the most prominent candidates and ranked third on the list. At that time, he was seen as one of Netanyahu's potential successors, but the clash over security and legal issues turned him from a strategic ally into a bitter opponent.

Knesset members from the backbenches of Likud exploited these statements to launch a counter-attack on Gallant, seeking to please Netanyahu and affirm their loyalty. These members accused the former minister of becoming a 'political tool' driven by personal hatred, and that he caused severe damage to the state during his tenure as Minister of Defense.

Circles close to Netanyahu believe that Gallant's major 'sin' was his declared desire to conclude an immediate deal for the return of the abductees, and his strong opposition to judicial amendments. These circles believe that Gallant's positions contributed to the internal disintegration that Israel witnessed and led to the deterioration of the strategic security situation.

For his part, Netanyahu, who enjoys absolute influence within Likud, seems keen to finalize Gallant's expulsion to ensure there are no strong dissenting voices. However, Netanyahu is currently avoiding holding a general party conference for fear of additional attacks from other members who might share some of Gallant's criticisms.

Gallant's expected departure from Likud reflects the depth of the division within the Israeli right over the management of the war and accountability for security failures. These developments reveal the fragility of internal alliances amid continued military and political pressures on the current government.

Sources indicate that Gallant, despite his previous attempts to stay and fight from within the party, has reached a complete conviction that his path with Likud has ended. The party events he attended were no longer sufficient to mend the broken relationship with Netanyahu's loyal base.

Ultimately, Gallant's statements remain testimony from 'behind closed doors' on the crisis management methods in the Prime Minister's office. It is testimony that Netanyahu's opponents see as additional evidence of the need for political change, while his supporters see it as merely an attempt at personal revenge after his dismissal.

The question remains in Israeli political circles about Yoav Gallant's next destination, and whether he will lead a new movement or join the centrist opposition. But what is certain now is that the doors of Likud have been completely closed to the man who was once the powerful second-in-command in the party's security apparatus.

Gallant announced his de facto retirement from Likud when he described Netanyahu as a 'liar' without hesitation, accusing him of slander and harming the military establishment.