Israel Katz and Gideon Sa'ar have been approved for new roles in Knesset

The Knesset plenum convenes on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and in rare cases on Sunday or Thursday morning.

By ELIAV BREUER NOVEMBER 7, 2024 11:39 Updated: NOVEMBER 8, 2024 00:58

Foreign Minister Israel Katz attends a cabinet meeting, December 2019. (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

The Knesset plenum convened on Thursday evening 8:00 p.m. to approve the government shakeup announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening, following his decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

During the Knesset plenum, opposition leader Yair Lapid addressed Minister Israel Katz, criticizing his potential appointment as Defense Minister under conditions that would require passing what he called "the Evasion Law."

Lapid argued that accepting the role with such terms would be an insult to the position, stating, "If you agree today to be appointed as Defense Minister and pass the Evasion Law, it means you’re accepting the position to disgrace that seat."

He urged Katz to oppose the law, suggesting that standing against it would secure his legacy: "If... you stand up and say, ‘I won’t pass evasion laws,’ you will be remembered in history as someone who stood his ground." Lapid emphasized that Katz’s refusal would demonstrate integrity, noting, "Netanyahu has no power to fire you. All that will happen is people will say, here is a person with a backbone."

Lapid further urged Katz to prioritize Israel’s security over political concerns.

The Knesset plenum normally convenes on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and in rare cases, on Sunday or Thursday morning. A Thursday evening plenum is rare. Its scheduling, however, is due to the fact that according to Israeli law, the decision to remove Gallant only came into effect after 48 hours, and then the Knesset approved the new defense minister, Yisrael Katz.

The Knesset has also approved MK Gideon Sa'ar taking over from Katz as foreign minister, MK Sharren Haskel will be appointed deputy foreign minister, and MK Ze'ev Elkin will become a minister within the finance ministry responsible for the rehabilitation of the northern and Gaza border.

Wasserlauf opposes Elkin's appointment

Negev and Galilee Minister Yizhak Wasserlauf announced on Thursday morning that he opposed Elkin's appointment, arguing that the issue of rehabilitating the northern and Gaza borders should be his responsibility. Wasserlauf added that he had gained the trust of local authority leaders in both regions and claimed that dozens of them sent him a letter saying they supported his position.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads the weekly government conference at the PM's office in Jerusalem on January 22, 2023. (credit: OLIVIER FITOUSSI/FLASH90)

Earlier Thursday, the Israel High Court of Justice ruled to reject a petition by the Movement for Quality Government in Israel and other organizations, demanding to freeze Gallant's removal because it was made for nonpolitical reasons and, therefore, illegal. 

Gallant says goodbye

Gallant posted on X/Twitter, thanking the United States for the cooperation between the two countries during the war.

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"As I complete my role as Israel’s Minister of Defense, I spoke this evening with my friend, US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin. I expressed my deep appreciation to the Secretary for his partnership and deep commitment to the defense cooperation between our countries, and to the security of the State of Israel. Secretary Austin stood by my side in Israel just a few days following the October 7th attack, and he has stood with Israel ever since."

As I complete my role as Israel’s Minister of Defense, I spoke this evening with my friend, U.S. @secdef Lloyd Austin. I expressed my deep appreciation to the Secretary for his partnership and deep commitment to the defense cooperation between our countries, and to the security… pic.twitter.com/SHJBHOynAk

— יואב גלנט - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) November 7, 2024

"Thank you to Secretary Austin and the US Administration for your extraordinary support during Israel’s darkest hour. It has been my honor and privilege to serve my country and to work together in further deepening the bond between our nations. Our ties are critical to the security and prosperity of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. And we must remember that the United States and Israel are beacons of light, freedom, and progress in this world - our special bond must remain powerful and unshakeable.