Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant

Yoav Gallant, the Israeli Defense Minister, is a man of action. He served in the Israel Defense Forces for over 30 years, where he commanded various units and participated in many operations. After retiring from the military, he entered politics and was elected to the Knesset in 2015. He has served as Defense Minister since 2022.

Gallant is a controversial figure. He is a strong supporter of the Israeli settlement movement and has been accused of making inflammatory statements about the Palestinians. However, he is also known for his pragmatism and willingness to negotiate with the Palestinians. He is considered a close confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In recent months, Gallant has been at the center of several controversies. He was criticized for his handling of the May 2021 conflict between Israel and Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of over 250 Palestinians. He has also been criticized for his support of the government's plans to annex parts of the West Bank. Despite these controversies, Gallant remains a popular figure in Israel. He is seen as a strong leader who is willing to stand up for Israel's interests.

Gallant's military career

Yoav Gallant was born in Jerusalem in 1958. He joined the Israel Defense Forces in 1978 and was assigned to the Paratroopers Brigade. He served in the brigade for many years and participated in many operations, including the 1982 Lebanon War.

In 1989, Gallant was appointed commander of the Sayeret Matkal, an elite special forces unit. He led the unit for three years and was involved in several high-profile operations, including the 1992 assassination of Hezbollah leader Abbas Musawi.

In 1994, Gallant was promoted to Brigadier General and appointed commander of the Northern Command. He held this post for two years and was responsible for overseeing the defense of Israel's northern border with Lebanon.

In 1999, Gallant retired from the military and entered politics. He was elected to the Knesset in 2015 and has served as Defense Minister since 2022.

Gallant's political career

Yoav Gallant is a member of the Likud party. He is a strong supporter of the Israeli settlement movement and has been accused of making inflammatory statements about the Palestinians. However, he is also known for his pragmatism and willingness to negotiate with the Palestinians. He is considered a close confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In 2021, Gallant was appointed Defense Minister. He has been a controversial figure in this role. He was criticized for his handling of the May 2021 conflict between Israel and Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of over 250 Palestinians. He has also been criticized for his support of the government's plans to annex parts of the West Bank. Despite these controversies, Gallant remains a popular figure in Israel. He is seen as a strong leader who is willing to stand up for Israel's interests.

Gallant's personal life

Yoav Gallant is married and has three children. He is a resident of Kfar Saba, a city in central Israel.

Gallant is a keen sportsman and enjoys playing tennis and cycling. He is also a fan of classical music and opera.