'There are moments when... ': Sacked Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant quits parliament

Yoav Gallant, who Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu sacked as defence minister in November, tendered his resignation to the Knesset, saying "there are moments when you need to stop".

Gallant said his decision to resign comes after "45 years of mission and service" to the country. The ex-defence minister also expressed his disapproval of the "acceleration" conscription law that mandates the listing of civilians to serve in Israeli forces.

"I recently submitted my letter of resignation from the Knesset to the Speaker of the Knesset. I am doing so after 45 years of mission and service to the State of Israel. As on the battlefield, so too in public service - there are moments when you need to stop, assess the situation, and choose the course of action in order to achieve the required goals. This is a stop on a longer journey, which is not yet complete," Gallant wrote, in a rough translation of his post on X.

Gallant also said Likud path was his path and that he would continue to fight for the ideological and Zionist path.

"The Likud path is my path. I believe in the principles of the movement and trust its members and voters. As a member of the Likud movement, I will continue and fight - for its national, ideological and Zionist path," he added.

Expressing concern over the developments in the Netanyahu-led government, Gallant said the government was pushing forward a conscription law that he believed was "contrary to the needs of the IDF and the security of Israel".

"In the last two months since I was removed from the position of Minister of Defence, something has happened - the Israeli government, led by the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, is accelerating a conscription law that is contrary to the needs of the IDF and the security of the State of Israel. The bill is intended to grant exemption from military service to most young people in the ultra-Orthodox sector. I cannot accept that and I cannot be a part of it," Gallant was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Netanyahu in November had fired Gallant citing a "lack of trust". Israel's foreign minister Israel Katz replaced Gallant after he was sacked.

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